DOTr: Free toll fee at NAIA Expressway for one month

Motorists who will be plying the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAX), the first phase of which will be open next week, may avail of free toll fees for a month, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced Wednesday.

During the DOTr’s presentation of its budget for 2017 before the Senate Committee on Finance, Secretary Arthur Tugade said the concessionaire will “sacrifice” a one-month collection of toll fees when the expressway opens.

“Nakausap ko yung concessionaire. Ewan ko if this is the time to announce, that the public will enjoy one month free no toll fees when we open that,” Tugade said.

“Hindi mura ‘yun, mahal ‘yun. Kasi nung kinompute namin, marami ding sakripisyo yung concessionaire diyan so there will be one month free toll,” he added.

The project was awarded to publicly-listed San Miguel Corp. (SMC) through its subsidiary and concession firm Vertex Tollways Development Inc., with civil works contractor DM Consunji Inc.

The agreement covers a 30-year concession period, with toll fees seen at P35 to P45 for the first two years, with adjustments to be allowed every two years.

The DOTr chief said Phase 1 of the P17.9-billion project will open on September 22, and the entire freeway connection will open before the end of the year.

“Before the end of this year, all the flyovers will be open,” Tugade said.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar made the same assurance when he inspected the 7.75-kilometer elevated expressway and 2.22-kilometer at-grade road project last month.

Seen to address traffic issues around the NAIA terminals, the project traverses Sales Avenue, Andrews Avenue, Parañaque River, MIAA Road, and Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard.

Once complete, the NAIAX will link NAIA Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4, and would interface with the South Luzon Expressway through Sales Interchange, the Manila-Cavite Expressway, and Macapagal Boulevard. —ALG, GMA News