Skyway 3 partially open in two weeks' time —Villar

A portion of the Skyway Stage 3 project will be opened to motorists in the next two weeks, according to Public Works Secretary Mark Villar on Friday.

"Sa ngayon nais ko pong i-announce na in the next two weeks io-open namin yung Plaza Dilao exit so magkakaroon ng additional na four kilometers sa Skyway," Villar said in an interview on Unang Balita.

"Ang target namin by the end of the year substantially completed na yung Skyway," he added. "When I say substantially, about 95% [completed]."

Villar was referring to the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 project, an 18.68-kilometer elevated expressway that will link Buendia in Makati City to Balintawak in Quezon City.

The project, once completed, is expected to cut the two-hour travel time from Buendia to Balintawak to only 15 to 20 minutes, according to Villar.

Villar said the completion of the project will also help decongest EDSA.

"Isa po ito sa mga solution kasi pag natapos itong Skyway, about 100,000 vehicles a day will utilize the Skyway. Kung wala itong Skyway, yung mga vehicles na yan dadaan sa EDSA, sa ibang thoroughfares sa EDSA. So napakalaking congestion," he said.

The Skyway will also connect the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). "So hindi na kailangang dumaan sa EDSA," Villar said.

Villar said the exact toll amount is still being "finalized," but the use of the part that will be opened in the next two weeks will be free for the meantime. —KBK, GMA News