Motorists can now pass through the 18-kilometer Skyway Stage 3 for free following its soft opening on Tuesday.
In a Facebook post, San Miguel Corporation president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang said that motorists coming from either North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) or Alabang can significantly reduce their travel time and at the same time help decongest EDSA via the 18-kilometer elevated expressway.
“While we are still completing some finishing works until we officially open on January 14, I invite motorists to try it out, it’s free for a month, so that more can experience seamless travel between north and south, and to and from major cities like Makati, Manila and Quezon City,” Ang said.
The Skyway Stage 3 connects the northern and southern portions of Metro Manila. During the partial opening, motorists will be able to use up to four lanes of Skyway 3 while all seven lanes from Buendia in Makati to NLEX will be opened on January 14.
According to Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, the Skyway 3 will have seven available ramps such as the Buendia Northbound On Ramp and Southbound Off Ramp, Plaza Dilao Southbound On Ramp, Quezon Avenue Northbound and Southbound On and Off Ramp, and Balintawak Northbound Off Ramp and Southbound On Ramp.
“We are glad to finally welcome motorists, even on a limited capacity, starting December 29. While this is only a partial opening, given the scale and importance of this project, this is a very significant development,” Ang said.
The Skyway 3 is seen to reduce travel time between Makati and northern Manila to only 20 minutes and Alabang and NLEX to 30 minutes. Apart from that, the elevated expressway will also serve as an alternative route to EDSA for those traveling between Metro Manila cities, reducing traffic on the country’s busiest thoroughfare.