Metro Manila Skyway

The Philippines has approved a contract for the PHP26.5bn ($609.6m) third stage of the Metro Manila Skyway (MMS) Project, which will link the Southern Luzon Expressway to the Northern Luzon Expressway.

Funded by the Citra Central Expressway Corporation, the latest project will be managed by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).

Expected to be completed over a period of three years, the new project will include construction of a road to help ease congestion in EDSA and several other major roads such as Quezon Avenue, Araneta Avenue, Nagtahan and Quirino.

It will also significantly reduce travel time from Buendia to Balintawak from the regular two hours or more to 15 minutes.

"The project will provide 6,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs at the time of construction."

The proposed flood-free, six-lane expressway has an estimated length of 14.2km and will help cut pollution, as well as provide enhanced comfort and safety to motorists, while offering large savings in travel time, fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.

The project will provide 6,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs at the time of construction.

Preparatory and advance works on the project will begin by the end of 2013, with round the clock construction works scheduled for the second quarter of 2014.

The first section of the roadway from Buendia to Nagtahan is expected to be opened for service by early 2016.

DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya said that the department along with DPWH, MMDA and local governments of Makati, Manila and Quezon City will coordinate and do its best to minimise traffic inconvenience throughout the route.

"Our president is committed to building infrastructure that will ease the worsening traffic congestion and to enhance economic opportunities.

"This Skyway project will surely do both," Abaya noted.

Image: The new project will significantly reduce travel time from Buendia to Balintawak from two hours to 15 minutes. Photo: courtesy of the Department of Transportation and Communications.