The Skyway Stage 3 has finally opened for its full operations early Friday morning.
President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration of the project on January 14 with other officials of the government and the private sector, where he thanked Filipino laborers for making the project possible.
“The successful completion of the Skyway is a testament to the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of our Build, Build, Build Program… To the Filipino people, let me assure you that this administration will continue to pursue our Build, Build, Build Program guided with the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability,” he stated.
Six lanes of the Skyway Stage 3 are now open to motorists but only seven ramps are being utilized. The Skyway 3 had its soft opening last December 29 with limited lanes accessed by vehicles.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the following ramps are already available in Skyway Stage 3:
• Buendia Northbound On Ramp and Southbound Off Ramp
• Plaza Dilao Southbound On Ramp
• Quezon Avenue Northbound and Southbound On and Off Ramp
• Balintawak Northbound Off Ramp and Southbound On Ramp
According to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), San Miguel Corporation has already submitted a petition concerning toll fees that will be collected.
A total of ₱110 may be charged in Section 1A from Buendia to Sta. Mesa while ₱31 may be collected in Ramon Magsaysay to Balintawak. The petition toll fee for Ramon Magsaysay to Balintawak is at ₱133. The end-to-end travel toll fee from Buendia t to Balintawak is being proposed at ₱274.
The TRB said it will still review the petition before issuing a final decision on the fees.
With the new skyway, the previous travel time of more than an hour from Balintawak to Makati through EDSA may be reduced to 15 to 20 minutes.
“Originally, ang expectation namin 55,0000. Pero soft opening pa lang, na-exceed na yung original prediction (Our original expectation is 55,000 [vehicles]. But the original prediction has been surpassed in the soft opening),” DPWH Sec. Mark Villar stated. – Report from Karen Villanda
