Manila to get a new $1-billion ‘Skyway’: Know the route and fees

Manila: If you’ve ever been stuck in Manila’s infamous gridlock, where a 30-minute drive can turn into a soul-crushing three- to four-hour ordeal, there’s hope on the horizon. 

The city — often dubbed as having the worst traffic in the world — is getting a new expressway: Skyway Stage 4.

Designed to cut travel time between Parañaque City to Quezon City (QC) to minutes instead of punishing hours, could this mega-project help salve a traffic-weary region?

Parañaque City is a manufacturing (including electronics) and aviation hub (it hosts the Ninoy Aquino International Airport), while QC is the country's entertainment, education and legislative centre (its hosts of Philippines' House of Representatives).

But how much will Skyway 4 cost to use?

Let’s break it down:

Skyway Stage 4 (Skyway 4) will go from Bicutan to Batasan, sort of semi-parallel to EDSA and C5, which are both public, no-toll channels infamous for their traffic woes.

Also known as the Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (SEMME), Skyway Stage 4 is a tollway (user's fee will be charged). It will connect South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and Skyway via Arca South (FTI Complex) in Bicutan, which forms part of Taguig City.

It will feature both elevated and at-grade roads that will link up SLEX to the Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

According to project proponent SMC Infrastructure, Skyway 4 will provide an alternative route passing through the following cities/towns:

With its six-lane freeway and 28 ramps, the project aims to decongest EDSA and C5. Skyway-4 will be a shorter sibling of the first, 42-km Manila Skyway.