The Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, an elevated toll road linking the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), has been completed and is expected to cut travel time from Balintawak, Quezon City to Makati to only 15 to 20 minutes.
WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
1. What is Skyway Stage 3
2. Access Points (Exits)
3. Metro Manila Skyway Route Description
4. Future UV Express Routes
What is Skyway Stage 3?
The Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project (MMSS3), also referred to as the NLex-SLex Link, is an elevated expressway from Buendia, Makati City to the North Luzon Expressway in Balintawak, Quezon City with a length of about 17.93 to 18.83 kilometers. 2x3 lanes from Buendia to Sgt. Rivera corner A. Bonifacio, Quezon City, 2x2 lanes from Sgt. Rivera corner A. Bonifacio to NLEX Balintawak, Quezon City and 2x3 lanes elevated roadway structure that connects to the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road in the vicinity of PUP.
It is expected to decongest EDSA and other major roads (Quezon Ave., Araneta Ave., Nagtahan, Quirino Ave., etc.) by as much as 55,000 vehicles daily, and will also reduce travel time from Balintawak to Buendia from 2 hours to just 15 to 20 minutes. Maximum speed limit at the Skyway 3 is 100 kilometers per hour (kph).
With its completion, motorists can now travel from Central Luzon to South Luzon and vice versa without passing through the streets of Metro Manila.
Access Points (Exits)
1. Balintawak Exit - for motorists to and from NLex, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Project 7 and 8.
2. Sgt. Rivera Exit - for motorists to and from the Manila ports, Rizal Avenue and A. Bonifacio.
3. Quezon Avenue Exit - for motorists to and from España, Lourdes, Sta. Mesa Heights, Frisco, West and North Triangles.
4. E. Rodriguez Exit - for motorists to and from New Manila, Kamuning, South and East Triangles.
5. Aurora Boulevard Exit - for motorists from Sta Mesa, Cubao, San Juan and Mandaluyong (southbound motorists shall enter at Araneta Avenue near SM Centerpoint while northbound motorists shall exit at V. Mapa)
6. Nagtahan Exit - for motorists to and from Pandacan, Legarda and España. (At Plaza Dilao, there is a separate entry for those coming from UN Avenue Ext.)
7. Quirino Exit - northbound entry for motorists coming from Taft Avenue and Roxas Boulevard.
8. Buendia Osmeña Exit - for motorists to and from Makati and San Andres.
Metro Manila Skyway
Route Description
Skyway 3 connects to Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Metro Manila Skyway System. From the north, the Skyway originally begins in Makati, just south of Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia Avenue). It rises above the Magallanes Interchange and returns to its original level after crossing EDSA. Past its interchange with the NAIA Expressway, it descends into ground level because of height restrictions on structures near Ninoy Aquino International Airport, paralleling SLex and the PNR Metro South Commuter Line along the Pasay–Taguig boundary. The Skyway elevates again past the C-5 Exit and Arca South. From Bicutan, at the start of the Stage 2 segment, it continuously runs above SLex. At the Sucat Exit, the Skyway rises above the eastern end of Dr. Santos Avenue and descends before approaching the Alabang toll plaza in Cupang, Muntinlupa. An exit leads down to the South Luzon Expressway and an entrance ramp carries traffic vice versa. Past the toll plaza and the exit to SLex, the Skyway narrows into one lane per direction, and curves westward before joining Alabang–Zapote Road near South Station in Alabang.
Future UV Express Routes
The Skyway 3 will open new public transportation routes for easy access of commuters:
1. Sta. Mesa - Monumento
2. Sta. Mesa - Makati
3. Quezon Avenue - Monumento
4. Quezon Avenue - Makati
5. Kalentong - Makati
6. Kamuning - Makati
Skyway 3 will be opened to the public as soon as finishing works are done. Toll fees are not yet available as of this writing.
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Images: Screen grab from YouTube_ Bruce King