SMC opens Skyway’s Nagtahan exit ramps

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) opened yesterday the Nagtahan northbound and southbound exit ramps of the Skyway Stage 3 elevated expressway, allowing motorists to access Sta. Mesa and other Manila areas directly.

SMC president Ramon Ang said travel time to Manila would be reduced as traffic congestion along thoroughfares commonly used by motorists going to Sta. Mesa is seen to further ease.

“Motorists coming from the South Luzon Expressway, North Luzon Expressway or other points of entry to the Skyway 3 can now opt to get to their destinations in Manila faster, without having to go through traffic jams on major roads and busy streets,” Ang said in a statement.

He said SMC is committed to finish the remaining access ramps of Skyway 3 soon.

SMC opened the main alignment of the elevated expressway in January, but the opening of some access ramps was delayed due to right-of-way issues.

Ang said the northbound ramps set to be opened include the Quirino exit (heading to Roxas Boulevard), Quirino entry, Nagtahan entry, E. Rodriguez entry and Sgt. Rivera (C3) exit.

Southbound access points to be opened soon are the A. Bonifacio entry, Sgt. Rivera exit and entry and Quirino exit.

“With the support of government agencies such as the Departments of Public Works and Highways and Transportation and the political will of President Duterte, we were able to accomplish more, even with quarantine restrictions in place. We are counting on their continued support as we continue to work full blast to complete the remaining ramps,” Ang said.

Operational access ramps of Skyway 3 now include Buendia (Zobel) entry, Quirino Avenue exit, Nagtahan exit, Quezon Avenue exit, Quezon Avenue entry, A. Bonifacio exit and Balintawak exit for northbound. Balintawak entry, Quezon Avenue exit, Quezon Avenue entry, E. Rodriguez exit, Nagtahan exit, Plaza Dilao entry and Buendia exit for southbound.

“The concessionaire is taking advantage of the dry season to fasttrack the completion of ramps as we want motorists to reap the benefits of additional interchanges in between Buendia and NLEX,” Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said.

“The opening of all interchanges will further reduce traffic gridlocks along EDSA, Quezon Avenue, Araneta Avenue, Nagtahan and Quirino Avenue,” Villar said.