Skyway extension to Sucat opens today

MANILA, Philippines - Transportation and Communications Secretary Jose de Jesus and other government officials will lead a ceremonial drive-through that will mark the opening of the Skyway extension to Sucat at 9 a.m. today.

Skyway developer Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp. (CMMTC), and its contractor, D.M. Consunji, Inc., said in a statement that they rushed the completion of the Skyway extension to Sucat in time for the Christmas season when traffic is at its heaviest in Metro Manila. The opening of the new section is expected to ease traffic at both the elevated and at-grade sections.

With the opening of the new extension, the Skyway toll rates will revert to the toll rates previously approved in 2007, as follows: P85 for Class 1 (cars and jeepneys) and P170 for Class 2 vehicles (buses and light trucks). A 23.5 percent Skyway toll discount was implemented in July last year to make up for the traffic inconvenience caused by the Skyway construction activities between Bicutan and Sucat.

The 2007 toll rates will be collected starting Dec. 22. No tolls will be collected on the Sucat extension until after the entire 6.88-km Skyway extension to Alabang is completed by May 2011 or earlier.