Palace OKs skyway project linking NLEX, SLEX

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang has approved the contract for the Metro Manila Skyway (MMS) Stage 3 project which would connect two major expressways in Luzon.

The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) said Friday the new road is expected to help decongest EDSA and other major roads such as Quezon Avenue, Araneta Avenue, Nagtahan, and Quirino.

The agency said the six-lane expressway, which has an approximate length of 14.2 kilometers, is flood-free and mostly elevated.

It will connect the Southern Luzon Expressway to the Northern Luzon Expressway.

"[The expressway] will help reduce pollution, provide greater comfort and safety to the motorists and result to large savings in travel time, fuel and vehicle maintenance costs," the DOTC said.

The agency claims the new road would reduce travel time from Buendia, Makati to Balintawak, Quezon City to just 15 minutes.

In a 2013 report released by The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said in a 2013 report that around P2.4 billion worth of economic and opportunity loss is incurred daily due to traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

The P26.5-billon project will be fully funded by the Citra Central Expressway and will be overseen by the DOTC and the Toll Regulatory Board.

The project is estimated to be completed in three years with round-the-clock construction expected by the second quarter of 2014.

Meantime, DOTC Secretary Joseph Abaya said the first section of the roadway from Buendia to Nagtahan may be opened for service by early 2016.

He added that the Skyway project will also enhance economic opportunities as it will provide around 6,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs during construction.