NAIA Expressway T3 section opening soon to ease Christmas traffic

NOW OPEN The first segment of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway is now open. It will link Terminals 1 and 2 in Parañaque City to Macapagal Boulevard and the Entertainment City in Pasay City. For the first month, motorists will not pay toll for using the expressway. RICHARD A. REYES

As the actual Christmas holidays draw near, the discussion—apart from all that Yuletide cheer—invariably leads to Metro Manila’s traffic headache.

Those fortunate enough to travel by plane, and basically anyone who transits around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, are thus excited about that phase of San Miguel Corp.’s Naia Expressway that will connect to Terminal 3 of the Manila airport complex.

Opened a few months ago was a link from the Entertainment City casino complex along Manila Bay to Naia Terminals 1 and 2.

The stretch to Terminal 3, heavily used by Cebu Pacific as well as a number of international airlines, took a bit more time to finish due to numerous right of way issues along the expressway’s alignment. Those, fortunately, were hurried along with great effort from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Of course, December 2016 was the target opening for this Terminal 3 section but an actual date has yet to be finalized. Internally, we’re hearing a Dec. 7 “target.” Our sources say the section is ready for operations.

All the remains is a toll operations permit from the Toll Regulatory Board. Hopefully that is forthcoming and motorists can start enjoying the new expressway. —MIGUEL R. CAMUS