Stalled Skyway Stage 3 segment seen to open as early as Q1 2027

MANILA — After a six-year delay, construction of Skyway Stage 3 Section 2A is now in full swing and could be completed as early as the first quarter of 2027, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation said Wednesday.

Once finished, the 1.2-kilometer toll road will link the Skyway to both the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), making it easier for motorists traveling from provinces such as Laguna to reach Metro Manila and continue north to Bulacan and Pampanga.

The project is expected to benefit around 30,000 motorists daily, according to Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, who joined Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon during an inspection.

Lopez said the toll road could cut travel time from Buendia, or Gil Puyat Avenue, to the Port Area in Manila to 25 minutes from two hours. 

“Ganun din po kapag bumiyahe tayo from Buendia, as a point of reference, to Karuhatan, Valenzuela. Aabutin kayo ng dalawang oras, ordinary days. Ngayon, 30 minutes,” said Lopez.

It is also seen to decongest traffic in the Manila port area.

Dizon said light vehicles could use the Skyway to avoid traffic caused by trucks transporting cargo to and from the piers.

“Pag natapos na ‘to, yung light vehicles pwede na sa taas, luluwag tayo sa baba, sa may Del Pan area,” he said.

Like with many other infrastructure projects, the delay was mainly caused by right-of-way issues.

“Ang private sector ang partner natin dito, ang San Miguel, hindi makakastart hangga’t hindi at least 80 percent ang right-of-way acquisition kasi malaki ang gastos pag nag-delay. Kailangan pag nagsimula siya, tuloy-tuloy. Finally we are at 98 percent,” explained Dizon.

Dizon also believes that with the help of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, the government can reach an agreement to relocate the two remaining informal settler families affected by the project.

Meanwhile, Dizon also ordered toll operators to speed up the processing of necessary documents so that they could open before the Holy Week the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAX) Terminal 3 off-ramp and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) from Governor’s Drive to Aguinaldo in Silang.

“Lalo na magho-Holy Week, ang daming magbibiyahe. Bawas na sa travel time, bawas pa sa gasolina,” he said.