Skyway Stage 3 fully opens today, but you can’t use it just yet

Final safety checks and preparations for the inauguration are underway.

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) announced that the Skyway Stage 3 project has been completed and will be fully operational by January 15, 2021.

Skyway Stage 3 Quick Look: 22-minute drive from NAIAX to Balintawak

The 14.8-km elevated tollway project connects the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) in Buendia to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Balintawak. It is part of infrastructure projects intended to alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila by cutting down travel time between the two tollways at the outskirts of the metropolis.

Although the necessary works have been completed, Skyway management said that the expressway will be closed from 10 p.m. of Wednesday, January 13 to Thursday, January 14. This is to make way for safety checks ensuring that the roadway can safely accommodate motorists, as well as preparations for the 5 a.m. opening ceremony on Friday.

“Safety audit, as well as stakeholder’s feedback is necessary as road traffic measures must adopt to fit with the current road situation,“ according to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar.

Skyway top shot

SMC partially opened the Skyway Stage 3 to motorists last December 29 even as portions remained unfinished, waiving toll fees for a month. With the expected formal opening of the project on Friday, travelers can still pass free of charge, now extended until February 1, according to a Facebook post by SMC President and COO Ramon Ang.

The DPWH says that SMC and its subsidiary CITRA Central Expressway Corporation (CCEC) are still completing some entry and exit ramps. “Once fully completed, motorists will be able to utilize all the Skyway Stage 3 ramps at Buendia, Quirino, Plaza Dilao and Nagtahan, Aurora Boulevard, E. Rodriguez, Quezon Avenue, Sgt. Rivera, and the NLEX Interchange,” it added.

In a statement, SMC requested the public to be patient while final preparations are underway. “We ask for the kind understanding of motorists, as we prepare to officially open Skyway 3. Following the opening, motorists will be able to experience the benefits of all seven lanes and all the features of this game-changing expressway that will reduce travel time from SLEX to NLEX and vice-versa, to only 30 minutes.”

We give you access to traffic updates at Philkotse.com.

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Author

Joseph has been a member of various car clubs since he got his driver's license in 2004 – old enough to remember riding in taxicabs with analog meters, but his fascination with cars goes way back. After nearly two decades of working in broadcast media, he shifted gears by coming on board as Philkotse’s first Filipino member and staff writer in 2017.

Apart from his role in Philkotse, Joseph has written episodes for Drive, which has been airing on CNN Philippines for five seasons running. He has also delivered content for various car dealerships based in the U.S., spanning multiple brands such as Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jeep, Dodge, among others.

Keeping his hopes high and his revs low, he dreams about owning a Kei car when he retires. Hates slow parkers.