TRB denies giving directive on indefinite closure of Skyway 3

MANILA, Philippines — The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) on Tuesday clarified that it did not issue a directive on the indefinite closure of the Skyway Stage 3 — which links the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) to the elevated highway above the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx).

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“This is to inform the public that the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) DID NOT ISSUE a decision or directive ordering the indefinite closure of the Skyway Stage 3 starting 5 p.m. of 16 March 2021,” the TRB said in a statement.

“The position of the TRB and its management is to keep Skyway Stage 3 OPEN for the benefit of all motorists,” it added.

San Miguel Corp. Infrastructure, which funded the project, earlier said that the tollway will be closed indefinitely in compliance with a directive issued by the TRB.

The Skyway Stage 3, which broke ground in January 2014 and opened only last Dec. 28, 2020, is a major infrastructure initiative of the government with the company of Ramon Ang, a 14.82-km stretch, six-lane elevated expressway that will extend the existing elevated skyway from Buendia to Balintawak and will link the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to NLEX.

The project aims to decongest major thoroughfares, including EDSA, while creating new transport routes.

SMC earlier promised to waive toll for a month before it finalizes the road. The fee-less trips continued well into March, as TRB said that SMC Infrastructure could not collect toll unless the skyway is finished and unless the fees are approved.

Should the fees be approved, motorists may be charged as much as P274 if passing through the entire tollway.

EDV