Skyway Stage 3 Nagtahan exit ramps now open
San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has opened the Skyway Stage 3 elevated expressway northbound and southbound exit ramps in Nagtahan.
According to a company statement, motorists may use the ramps from April 22, 2021 and gain access to Sta. Mesa and the City of Manila directly.
SMC President Ramon Ang said that the opening of the Nagtahan exit ramps, is aimed to reduce travel time to Manila, as traffic flow at major thoroughfares commonly used to access Sta. Mesa and other nearby areas, is expected to ease.
On the other hand, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar cited that SMC is currently fast-tracking the project this summer season.
“The concessionaire is taking advantage of the dry season to fast-track the completion of ramps as we want more motorists to reap the benefits of additional interchanges in between Buendia and NLEX,” the public works secretary was quoted as saying.
“The timely opening of all interchanges will also further reduce traffic along major NCR roads, most specifically EDSA, Quezon Avenue, Araneta Avenue. Nagtahan, and Quirino Avenue,” Villar added.
Meanwhile, Ang said vowed to complete the remaining unopened access ramps the soonest.
“We are committed to fully delivering the remaining access ramps of Skyway 3 in the soonest possible time. With the Nagtahan exits, motorists coming from both SLEX and NLEX or other points of entry to the Skyway 3, can now opt to get to their destinations in Manila faster, without having to go through traffic, or contribute to traffic on major public roads and busy streets,” he said.
SMC opened the main alignment of the elevated expressway last January. The company said that delivery of some access ramps had to come a little later due to due to right-of-way issues.
Further, the SMC chief thanked Villar and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade for their support to improve the travel infrastructure in the country, particularly through SMC’s road infrastructure projects despite the challenges caused by the pandemic.
“With the support of government agencies like the DPWH and the DOTR and the political will of President Duterte, we were able to accomplish more, even with quarantine restrictions in place. We are counting on their continued support as continue to work full blast to complete the remaining ramps,” Ang explained.
The northbound ramps that are to be opened next, Ang revealed, will include the Quirino exit (heading to Roxas Boulevard), Quirino entry, Nagtahan entry, E. Rodriguez Entry, and Sgt. Rivera (C3) exit. Meanwhile, southbound access points to be opened soon are the A. Bonifacio entry, Sgt. Rivera (C3) exit, Sgt. Rivera (C3) entry, and Quirino exit.
Following the opening of the Nagtahan exit ramps, the operational access ramps of Skyway 3 now include the following:
- Northbound
- Buendia (Zobel) entry,
- Quirino Avenue exit,
- Nagtahan exit,
- Quezon Avenue exit,
- Quezon Avenue entry,
- Bonifacio exit and Balintawak exit;
- Southbound
- Balintawak entry,
- Quezon Avenue exit,
- Quezon Avenue entry,
- Rodriguez exit,
- Nagtahan exit,
- Plaza Dilao entry, and
- Buendia (Zobel) exit.
The Skyway Stage 3 and the Skyway Extension project are part of SMC’s 38-kilometer elevated Skyway System, which aims to reduce traffic congestion along major thoroughfares including EDSA and provide a seamless link from the South Luzon Expressway to the North Luzon Expressway.
Photos from San Miguel Corporation
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