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San Miguel Corp and the government have signed the right-of-way usage agreement for the P45.29-billion Southeast Metro Manila Expressway or Skyway 4
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Signed on February 3 by SMC, the Department of Transportation, Department of National Defense, Veterans Federation of the Philippines, and Toll Regulatory Board, the pact will help facilitate the smooth construction of Skyway 4 in portions traversing the property of VFP
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Under a 30-year concession period, Skyway 4 Phase 1 will traverse Parañaque, Taguig City, Taytay, Antipolo, Marikina City, and Quezon City, and is seen to decongest C5
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and the government have signed the right-of-way usage agreement for the P45.29-billion Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (SEMME) or Skyway 4.
Signed on February 3 by SMC, the Department of Transportation, Department of National Defense, Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP), and Toll Regulatory Board, the pact will help facilitate the smooth construction of Skyway 4 in portions traversing the property of VFP.
“The agreement signals another game-changing infrastructure initiative. This toll road, with a combination of at-grade and elevated expressways, will create a much-needed alternate route, bypassing traffic-heavy roads and easing congestion along EDSA and other key corridors,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said in a statement.
For his part, SMC chairman and chief executive officer Ramon Ang said: “We cannot overemphasize the importance of SEMME in improving the traffic situation in our cities. It will benefit residents in the southern and eastern parts of Metro Manila by providing an alternative route to Quezon City.”
Once fully operational, Ang said about 150,000 vehicles are projected to use the 32.7-kilometer Skyway 4 daily.
“Travel time from Bicutan, Taguig, to the Batasan area in Quezon City will be significantly reduced from about two hours to just under 30 minutes. Just as Skyway Stage 3 helped decongest EDSA, SEMME can help decongest C-5,” he added.
Ang reaffirmed the company’s commitment to start construction on the first segment of Skyway 4 as soon as all right-of-way issues are resolved.
He also acknowledged the Ayala Group’s efforts to collaborate with SMC in integrating its Arca South estate with the Skyway System through SEMME. Both companies have signed an integration agreement, under which an exit from SEMME will be built at the Arca South estate.
Under a 30-year concession period, SEMME Phase 1 will traverse Parañaque, Taguig City, Taytay, Antipolo, Marikina City, and Quezon City, and is seen to decongest C5.
The expressway is also expected to provide an alternative route for motorists and travelers from Parañaque and Taguig heading to the eastern parts of Metro Manila and Rizal, with planned exits at Ortigas Avenue Extension, Marcos Highway, and Tumana Bridge in Quezon City.
READ: SMC, ALI forge deal for Skyway Stage 4-Arca South integration
