The newly soft-opened Skyway 3 project from Buendia, Makati to North Luzon Expressway will be temporarily closed from 10 pm to 4 am on Wednesday, January 6 and Thursday, January 7, to make way for additional work on the elevated expressway, prior to its official opening on January 14.

Skyway management announced that the closure will be done primarily to enable the installation of streetlights, and other construction activities. The expressway is still undergoing full completion work, but was opened by concession holder San Miguel Corporation (SMC) last December 29 to enable motorists to experience seamless travel from north to south Metro Manila, for free for one month.

SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang meanwhile said that the company appreciates the positive feedback the company has been receiving from motorists who have passed the expressway.

Many have marveled at how the 18-km. elevated expressway, the longest in the country, has drastically cut travel time. In particular, travel time between Makati to NLEX now only takes about 20 minutes, while travel between Alabang and NLEX is only 30 minutes, the company noted.

“We’re happy that the Skyway 3 is helping ease travel and will efficiently reduce the volume of traffic along EDSA as we envisioned it. There’s still some finishing work on the main north-to-south stretch that we are completing, but come January 14, motorists can expect an even better experience at Skyway 3,” Ang said.

“For these closures, we will start installing our street lights. This will further improve motorists’ experience and make the expressway even safer. As they enjoy toll-free travel at Skyway 3, may we also remind motorists to be mindful of the speed limit and practice usual road courtesy with fellow motorists,” Ang added.

Ang earlier said that the Skyway 3 will be toll-free for motorists for one month and an initial four lanes will be opened. SMC will formally open all seven lanes of the 18-kilometer stretch from Buendia, Makati to NLEX on January 14.