The first section of phase 2 of the NAIA Expressway project opened Thursday, and Public Work Secretary Mark Villar said the government wants to finish the second section to connect the three airport terminals to the South Luzon Expressway.

“We are determined to finish the second section which would connect NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3 to the South Luzon Expressway before Christmas season. We will maintain the 24/7 operations in this project,” said Villar.

Ramon Ang, president and chief operating officer of San Miguel Corp., said the project will “go a long way in easing traffic congestion in surrounding cities, and support growth in southern Metro Manila."

The new elevated expressway will connect Macapagal Avenue and Pagcor Entertainment City in Pasay City to NAIA Terminals 1 and 2 in Paranaque City.

Villar said the project, which was started in the Aquino administration, would improve traffic flow in the area and will cut travel time by at least 60 percent.

Villar said the toll in the NAIA Expressway project is estimated between P34 and P45.

“Passenger traffic at NAIA has an average annual growth rate of 9.5 percent. The cost of congestion per day in Metro Manila is P2.4 billion. We are keen in ensuring that the chronic traffic congestion at the vicinity of the airport is solved almost immediately,” he said

The P20.45-billion NAIA Expressway Project is a four-lane, 12.65-kilometer elevated expressway (including ramps) and 2.22-kilometer at-grade road traversing Sales Avenue, Andrews Avenue, Paranaque River, MIAA Road and Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard.

When all phases are completed, the NAIA Expressway Project is expected to provide easy access to and from NAIA Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 and will interface with the South Luzon Expressway through Sales Interchange, Manila Cavite Toll Expressway and Macapagal Boulevard. DMS