Transportation officials are aiming to partially open the Unified Grand Central Station by the first quarter of 2028, offering commuters earlier access to a transit hub linking Metro Manila’s major rail lines.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said Thursday that the project is moving forward after the Economy and Development (ED) Council approved a variation order. The approval allows Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) to take over construction following the termination of a previous contract.

“The ED just approved it. What happened here was that we terminated the contract. And when we terminated it, we talked to LRMC to see if they could continue the project by way of a variation order,” Lopez said.

“Since it’s a variation order, we have to follow the government’s process, and just recently, the ED Council approved the project itself. So, we can now begin, because we are aiming to at least achieve partial operations by May — I mean the first quarter of 2028,” he added.

The Department of Transportation plans to open portions of the facility before full completion so passengers can use its concourse and platforms once the North Avenue station of MRT-7 becomes operational.

Ongoing signaling work prevents full completion of the station by 2028, but interim measures will be used to facilitate passenger transfers.

“Since that will only be completed in the first quarter of 2028 because we’re fixing the signaling — the rail transport system requires signaling. What we will do now is ensure that once North Avenue and MRT-7 are completed and fully functional, our commuters will already be able to use the concourse and platform,” Lopez said.

To ease transfers while construction continues, the transportation department coordinated with Trinoma management to provide a covered walkway connecting to MRT-3, protecting commuters from weather exposure.

“We have also been talking to Trinoma, and they will provide, so to speak, an access road or access way leading to our MRT-3. In that way, they will no longer have to walk along the road,” Lopez said.

Full completion of the Common Station is targeted for 2030, which will enable seamless transfers among LRT-1, MRT-3, MRT-7 and a planned connection to the Metro Manila Subway.