NAIAX toll will be free for 1 month starting Sept 22
Motorists will enjoy one month of free toll at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport expressway (NAIAX) starting September 22.
The good news was revealed by Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Wednesday (September 14) during the Senate hearing on the proposed 2017 budget of his agency.
“Isa pa ho, nakausap ko concessionaire (One more thing, I talked to the concessionaire), the public will enjoy one month free, no toll fees when we open that,” Tugade said.
“‘Di ho mura ‘yun. Kwinenta namin, madaming sakripisyo din ‘yung concessionare doon (That’s not cheap. We computed it. The concessionaire will have many sacrifices),” he added.
Tugade said the first phase of the NAIA expressway connecting Terminals 1 and 2 would open on Thursday, September 22.
The project was awarded to publicly-listed San Miguel Corp. (SMC) through its subsidiary and concession firm Vertex Tollways Development Inc., with civil works contractor DM Consunji Inc.
The agreement covers a 30-year concession period, with toll fees seen at P35 to P45 for the first two years, with adjustments to be allowed every two years.
The DOTr chief said Phase 1 of the P17.9-billion project will open on September 22, and the entire freeway connection will open before the end of the year.
“Before the end of this year, all the flyovers will be open,” Tugade said.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar made the same assurance when he inspected the 7.75-kilometer elevated expressway and 2.22-kilometer at-grade road project last month.
Seen to address traffic issues around the NAIA terminals, the project traverses Sales Avenue, Andrews Avenue, Parañaque River, MIAA Road, and Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard.
Once complete, the NAIAX will link NAIA Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4, and would interface with the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) through Sales Interchange, the Manila-Cavite Expressway, and Macapagal Boulevard.
Source: rappler.com, gmanetwork.com
