Free Skyway toll eyed during EDSA rehab

MANILA, Philippines — The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) will ask San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to waive toll on parts of the Skyway during the rehabilitation of EDSA, which is set to begin next month.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon yesterday said the EDSA repairs would start in mid-June as the government prepares interventions for traffic congestion.

One of the measures being eyed by Dizon is requesting SMC to lift the toll for all motorists passing through certain segments of the Skyway during the duration of the EDSA rehabilitation.

Dizon said the Department of Transportation, through the TRB, would ask SMC to consider the proposal.

He underscored the urgency to waive the toll, as this would redirect motorists to the Skyway from EDSA.

According to Dizon, the proposed free Skyway toll will cover only select parts of the project that could be an alternative to EDSA.

The transport chief said the government may have to shoulder some of the cost of the free toll.

“We are proposing to waive the toll in Skyway, but we don’t know yet starting where and until where,” Dizon told The STAR.

The EDSA rehabilitation may last for up to two years, he said.

Motorists can use the Skyway to go from Buendia in Makati to Quezon Avenue in Quezon City and vice versa without having to pass through EDSA.

Dizon said the first segment of repair works would start on Roxas Boulevard and end in Guadalupe, Makati.

The government, led by the Department of Public Works and Highways, will announce the whole plan for the EDSA repairs next week.

Dizon said the EDSA rehabilitation would worsen traffic buildup along the major thoroughfare, but maintained it has to be done to improve road conditions for the convenience and safety of motorists.

The government will also undertake rerouting schemes for better management of traffic flow.

Dizon expressed hope that the first phase of the project would be completed next year in time for Manila’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.