The speed limit at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAx) and at the straight sections of the Skyway Stage 3 will be increased this month for faster and more efficient travel experience.
But this will not justify “spirited driving” as the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Infrastructure said the speed limit is still at 80 kilometer per hour (kph) from the previous 60 kph.
In a statement, the SMC Infrastructure said the increased speed limit for NAIAx will be effective on Jan. 15, and for the straight sections of Skyway Stage 3, it would be starting Jan. 20.
“These adjustments follow a comprehensive study conducted by the company’s traffic safety managers. This change will make travel on NAIAx and Skyway Stage 3 faster and more efficient for everyone,” said Ramon S. Ang, SMC chairman and chief executive officer.
“We have carefully studied this to make sure that it benefits motorists while prioritizing safety. 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.
NAIAx is the elevated toll road that connects the Skyway System to the three passenger terminals of NAIA, and other key areas such as Entertainment City, Macapagal Boulevard, Sucat Road in Paranaque City, and the road network to Cavite province.
The 18-km Skyway Stage 3 meanwhile connects Balintawak, Quezon City, and NLEX to the Skyway System at Buendia in Makati and the South Luzon Expressway at Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Stage 3 also features key exit points in the cities of Manila, San Juan, and Caloocan that serve as alternative routes to these areas.
Ang, however, stressed that the 60 kph speed limit will continue to be enforced for all motorists on curved sections of both expressways.
The reason, he said, is to maintain safety and not 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 the NAIAx and Skyway 3.
Ang explained that it is the right-of-way issues during the construction of NAIAx and Skyway Stage 3 that forced redesigns of some sections and even a number of access ramps, due to very limited space.
As a result, portions of both expressways have sharp curves where motorists need to slow down.
To ensure compliance, Ang said traffic patrollers equipped with radar speed guns will continue to monitor and issue citations to motorists caught violating the speed limits.
He said all traffic patrollers are deputized by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to apprehend erring motorists at exits, confiscate their drivers’ 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.