MANILA, Philippines – Skyway Stage 3 opened its Quezon Avenue extension exit ramp on Saturday, December 28 — the first day of the New Year long weekend.
The exit ramp, seen to help ease traffic along Quezon Avenue, was opened to the public at 6 am with patrollers and personnel guiding motorists to the exit. San Miguel Corporation would not be charging additional fees to motorists for now.
Those exiting via the Quezon Avenue extension exit — dubbed the “Maria Clara” off ramp — would be charged the same rate as Quezon Avenue northbound exit. Although motorists traveling through SMC’s expressways from 10 pm on December 31 to 6 am on January 1, 2025 would not have to worry as SMC said it will waive toll fees then.
“We’re opening the Maria Clara exit just in time for the last long weekend of the year, when many of our countrymen are traveling for New Year celebrations. The exit has been long-awaited by our motorists in Quezon City, who now have a convenient alternative,” Ang said.
Skyway Stage 3 bridges the Skyway System from Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati to Balintawak in Quezon City. It also connects the tollway system to the North Luzon Expressway. The almost 18-kilometer Skyway Stage 3 project was completed in October 2020 and was opened months later, in December, after its construction was postponed multiple times due to delays and right-of-way issues.
Despite the extension exit being opened, SMC still has work on completing regulatory requirements.
The operator said they got the greenlight from the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) on December 27, receiving an interim permit to operate. The TRB noted “the immediate need to provide an alternative route” at the Quezon Avenue northbound exit.
“Our team is working double-time to comply with the remaining requirements,” Ang said. – Rappler.com
