Speed limit hiked on straight sections of Skyway Stage 3, NAIAx

SMC Infrastructure will increase the speed limit on straight portions of the NAIA Expressway (NAIAx) and the Skyway Stage 3 by 20 kilometers per hour (kph).

SMC Infrastructure’s parent company San Miguel Corp. (SMC) on Wednesday said the move was after a comprehensive study conducted by traffic safety managers.

SMC chairman and chief executive officer Ramon Ang said the speed limit on straight portions of both expressways will be adjusted to 80 kph from 60 kph.

This will take effect on Wednesday, January 15 for the NAIAx, and on January 20 for the Skyway Stage 3.

“This change will make travel on NAIAx and Skyway Stage 3 faster and more efficient for everyone. We have carefully studied this to make sure that it benefits motorists while prioritizing safety,” Ang said.

“This also complements the ongoing reconfiguration of exit plazas at NAIAx, which should allow for less congestion and help improve motorists’ experience on the expressway,” he added.

Curved sections of both expressways, however, will continue to have a 60-kph speed limit for all motorists.

“This is to maintain safety, as we do not want to put any motorists at risk of accidents due to miscalculation or oversteering, especially where there are sharp curves, given the limitations to the design of both NAIAx and Skyway 3,” Ang said.

Ang said traffic patrollers — deputized by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) — with radar speed guns will continue to monitor and issue citations to violators.

They will apprehend violators at exits, confiscate their driver’s licenses, and issue temporary operator’s permits.

“We appeal to our motorists to observe speed limits at our expressway facilities for the safety of all,” Ang said.

The NAIAx is a 5.4-kilometer four-lane elevated expressway that connects the Skyway System to NAIA terminals 1, 2, and 3, and the Entertainment City.

Meanwhile, the Skyway Stage 3 is a 17.93-kilometer six-lane elevated expressway that extends the elevated Skyway from Buendia, Makati to Balintawak, Quezon City, and links the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). –NB, GMA Integrated News