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The Unified Grand Central Station (UGCS) has been a long time coming. Also known as the Common Station, this major under-construction transport hub at the intersection of EDSA and North Avenue in Quezon City is meant to seamlessly connect the LRT-1, the MRT-3, and the MRT-7, with a future link to the Metro Manila Subway.

While the groundbreaking was done almost a decade ago and the initial expectation was to open in January 2021, the Common Station’s target opening has been pushed back multiple times due to numerous factors.

Like many frustrated commuters, you’ve probably been wondering why construction has taken so long in the first place and how much longer we need to wait. Here’s all we know about the Unified Grand Central Station and the latest target opening date (hopefully).

Why has it taken so long for the Common Station to be built?

PHOTO BY Department of Transportation on Facebook

Since construction began in 2017, the Common Station has faced multiple setbacks due to initial design and location disputes, pandemic disruptions, and contractor delays that forced the government to terminate its contract with the original builder.

In March last year, the DOTr terminated its design-and-build contract with the BFC-FDSC Consortium due to slow progress. To continue work this year, the agency tapped LRT-1 operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) and Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation.

Key timeline and developments

PHOTO BY Department of Transportation Facebook Page

Here’s a quick look back at the development timeline and progress updates on the common station.

• January 2017: An agreement was reached to build the station.
• September 2017: The groundbreaking held at the North Triangle Transport Terminal.
• 2019: The original target completion date was set when the contract was awarded to the BFC-FDSC Consortium (BF Corporation and Foresight Development and Surveying Co.).
• 2021 to 2023: Despite positive progress updates in June 2022, target completion dates were repeatedly moved due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected manpower and construction logistics. Completion delays were also attributed to technical redesign issues like utilities relocation and systems upgrades, including signaling and automated fare collection. In April, additional delays pushed back the opening of the common station to the end of 2023.
• January 2024: The opening date was postponed after a delay in payments to the contractor, which impacted construction progress.
• August 2024: Construction completely stalled, and works were largely abandoned on site.
• May 2025: The DOTr formally canceled and terminated its contract with the BFC-FDSC Consortium due to excessive delays.
• Q1 2027: DOTr announced its initial targeted partial completion of the Common Station and MRT-7.
• July 2026: The Economy and Development (ED) Council approved a variation order of the project allowing the LRMC to take over and continue remaining works.
• Q1 2028: New target for partial/interim operations (expected).
• 2030: New projected timeline for the final, full completion of the Common Station (expected).

When is the latest target completion date?

PHOTO BY Department of Transportation Facebook Page

The planned opening of the UGCS is meant to align with the expected partial operations of the MRT-7, originally slated for 2027.

Interim operations are now expected to start in the first quarter of 2028, as confirmed by Secretary Giovanni Lopez of the DOTr.

In an interview shared by DOTr on July 30, Lopez said that the concourse, platform, and an access way to the MRT-3 via Trinoma should be in working order by 2028. These structures should already allow commuters to traverse the connected train lines without crossing the sidewalks outdoors.

Lopez further explained that the target follows the recent approval by the ED Council of a variation order for the project, which was assigned to the LRMC after a previous contract termination.

“Kaka-approve lang po ng ED. Ang nangyari po kasi dito, we terminated the contract. And nung na-terminate po natin yan, nakipag-usap tayo sa LRMC if they can continue the project by way of variation order,” Lopez said, adding that interim operations are expected by early 2028 while signaling systems are finalized.

Ahead of its full completion, Ayala Malls is expanding and refreshing Trinoma with the construction of The Exchange, a new 40,000sqm wing that will connect to the Common Station.

“Since first quarter of 2028 pa matatapos na yun kasi we’re fixing the signaling—kailangan kasi may signaling ang rail transport po yan,” Lopez explained. “Ang gagawin po namin ngayon is to ensure na kapag natapos na po yung North Avenue, MRT-7, at functional na po yan, magagamit ng ating mga commuters yung concourse at platform.”

Full completion of the vital transport hub is now slated for 2030. Let’s all hope that this project finally gets back on track and that there won’t be any further setbacks.