SMC on track to complete Skyway Stage 3 by year-end

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp.(SMC) said it expects to complete the construction of the Skyway Stage 3 by December this year, a company official said.

“Yes, we’re optimistic we can finish it by end 2019,” SMC deputy project manager for Skyway Stage 3 Alex Solomon told reporters Friday.

The Skyway Stage 3 is the elevated road project of SMC unit Citra Central Expressway Corp. (CCEC) that will connect SLEX and NLEX from Buendia in Makati to Bagong Barrio in Caloocan crossing the EDSA Balintawak cloverleaf.

Solomon said the company previously encountered delays in the construction of the project mainly due to right of way issues  and the transfer of electricity lines of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

He added the company has added more workers for the project to hasten the completion of the project.

Solomon said total budget for the project now stands at P46 billion.

In line with the completion of the Skyway Stage 3, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and NLEX Corp. said they will implement a major traffic rerouting plan so that CCEC can proceed with the full-blast construction of its Skyway Stage 3 project in certain portions of NLEX Balintawak this month. 

“We are appealing for the patience and understanding of the public, but we are also assuring them that MMDA, NLEX and Skyway teams will exert all efforts to minimize travel delays despite the ongoing construction,” MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said.

For his part, NLEX Corp. chief operating officer Raul Ignacio also expressed support for the project.

NLEX is extending its support to the project aimed at solving traffic congestion in Metro Manila as it is also one with the government in improving the country’s transport and logistics industry,” he said.

CCEC said construction works will be conducted on a kilometer stretch of NLEX Balintawak. This will affect traffic in Balintawak Cloverleaf, Camachile and Bagong Barrio, including the East and West Service Roads.

“To ensure smooth flow of traffic within this area, certain areas of NLEX Balintawak were widened,” NLEX said in a statement.

Under the major traffic rerouting plan, which will be implemented starting, 11 p.m. today until the end of the year, those coming from NLEX going to Quezon City may use Smart Connect Interchange heading to Mindanao Avenue. At the Mindanao Avenue intersection, turn right going to Quezon City to destination.

Meanwhile, private cars, vans, PUJs from Quirino Highway bound for EDSA via Camachile are advised to head to Camachile Flyover, turn right towards West Service Road then turn right at EDSA.

For PUJs,  take a U-turn at Biglang Awa, turn right at Cloverleaf to A. Bonifacio (to Blumentritt) or take the southeast loop to return to Novaliches.

As trucks from Quirino Highway going to A. Bonifacio will not be allowed at Camachile, they are advised to head toward Mindanao Avenue then turn left at NLEX Mindanao entry going to Smart Connect Interchange toward NLEX southbound.The same scheme goes for trucks from Congressional to A. Bonifacio/Port Area.

For private cars and vans from EDSA Muñoz to Port Area, head to Monumento crossing Balintawak Cloverleaf, turn left at De Jesus Street, head straight to C3 then at the C3 intersection, turn right to Port Area.

Aside from closing some lanes at NLEX Balintawak, the plan also includes closing the ramp from EDSA northbound to A. Bonifacio.

The NLEX management pointed out that private vehicles from NLEX going to Balintawak southbound will have the option to choose their preferred routes, PUJs and UV Express units will follow their specific routes, while buses will keep on their designated franchise routes.On the other hand, trucks coming from NLEX will not be rerouted.

The MMDA and NLEX, in close coordination with CCEC and local government units, guarantee that traffic patrol officers and marshals will be deployed to manage the flow of vehicles within the construction area and alternate routes.

Directional traffic signs will also be put up at strategic locations to better guide motorists. Real-time traffic updates at the NLEX will be posted on electronic variable message signs and announced via social media accounts.

“We are hoping that with all these preparations in place, our motorists and commuters can plan their trips ahead and reach their destinations safe and on time,” Garcia said.

The Skyway Stage 3 is a six-lane elevated expressway in Metro Manila extending 17.54 kilometers from Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City to Balintawak, Quezon City.

The project is divided into five segments: 3.76 km from Buendia Avenue to Quirino Avenue; 0.96 km from Quirino Avenue to Tomas Claudio Street; 3.93 km from Tomas Claudio Street to Aurora Boulevard; 2.71 km from Aurora Boulevard to Quezon Avenue; 4.46 km from Quezon Avenue to A. Bonifacio Avenue and 1.56 km from A. Bonifacio Avenue to North Luzon Expressway.