Metro

SMC INFRA OPENS MARIA CLARA EXIT AT SKYWAY STAGE 3 AHEAD OF NEW YEAR RUSH

admin December 30, 2024

SAN Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) infrastructure arm has opened the new Quezon Avenue extension (Maria Clara) northbound exit at Skyway Stage 3 in Quezon City.

The exit, operational as of 6 a.m. on Saturday, December 28, is expected to ease congestion at the Quezon Avenue northbound exit, a key route for motorists accessing Quezon City.

The opening is timed to accommodate the anticipated increase in travel during the long weekend leading up to New Year’s celebrations.

“We’re opening the Maria Clara exit just in time for the last long weekend of the year, when many of our countrymen are traveling for New Year’s celebrations. This exit has been long-awaited by our motorists in Quezon City, who now have a convenient alternative,” said SMC chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang.

Ang clarified that the Quezon Avenue extension exit will not incur any additional toll fees and will have the same toll rate as the Quezon Avenue northbound exit.

“We are grateful to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for their support and close coordination with our operations team to open the Maria Clara exit for the benefit of the motoring public,” Ang added.

The TRB issued an interim permit to operate the exit after notifying SMC on December 27 that it had sufficiently complied with requirements.

“Considering the immediate need to provide an alternative route and reduce congestion at the Quezon Avenue northbound exit, the TRB grants an interim permit to operate the Maria Clara exit in the interest of the public,” TRB said.

Ang assured motorists that SMC’s toll operations team is working to complete the remaining requirements specified by the TRB.

“Our team is working double-time to comply with the remaining requirements. Meanwhile, we are deploying patrollers and road safety personnel to guide motorists using the new exit,” Ang said.

Skyway Stage 3 connects the Skyway System from Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City to Balintawak in Quezon City, where it links with the North Luzon Expressway.