Significance of Skyway Stage 4
Earlier in the month of February, the Department of Transportation
announced that San Miguel Corporation has been given the greenlight to
begin construction of the first phases of the Skyway Stage 4, officially
known as the Southeast Metro Manila Expressway or SEMME.
This followed news that the DOTr was ready to hand over the right-of-way to
properties to be affected by the project's construction.
The Skyway Stage 4 is an ambitious infrastructure project developed
through a partnership between San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Citra
Intercity Tollways.
With an investment of approximately $1 billion (equating to around Php
55.87 billion), this project aims to tackle the pervasive issue of traffic
congestion in Metro Manila.
This metropolis, often cited as having one of the worst traffic conditions
globally, is in desperate need of modernization and efficiency improvements
in its transportation systems.
The primary objective of the Skyway Stage 4 is to alleviate the severe
traffic bottlenecks that plague Manila.
The expressway is designed to significantly reduce travel time from
Parañaque City to Quezon City, with expectations of shortening commutes
that currently take hours to a mere matter of minutes.
This enhancement in travel efficiency is intended not only to improve daily
commutes for thousands of residents but also to foster economic growth
through enhanced accessibility to businesses and services.
The Skyway Stage 4 spans a total length of 32.664 kilometers, featuring a
six-lane configuration with three lanes designated for each direction of
traffic.
The expressway connects key locations, starting from Bicutan in Taguig City
and extending to Batasan in Quezon City. It runs parallel to several major
thoroughfares in Metro Manila, including EDSA and C5, which are known for
their heavy traffic loads.
The cities covered by this extensive route include Parañaque City, Taguig
City, Taytay, Antipolo City, San Mateo, and Quezon City.
The design incorporates a mix of elevated and at-grade road structures to
optimize land use and enhance traffic management. Additionally, the
expressway features 28 ramps, facilitating seamless entry and exit points
across various intersecting roads and neighborhoods.
The construction timeline for Skyway Stage 4 initially spanned from 2018 to
2025. However, progress has encountered delays primarily due to
rights-of-way issues, which are common hurdles in large-scale
infrastructure projects.
A ROW agreement was successfully signed on February 3, 2025, paving the way
for the start of construction for one phase of the project.
Following the resolution of ROW issues, the completion of the first phase
is anticipated within 24 months, marking a significant milestone in the
project's development.
While the exact toll fees for Skyway Stage 4 have yet to be disclosed,
industry analysts forecast that they will be higher than those currently
charged on Skyway Stage 3.
The toll rates will play a crucial role in determining the project's
financial sustainability and its anticipated capacity to generate revenue
to support ongoing maintenance and further infrastructural enhancements.
The Skyway Stage 4 is projected to have a transformative impact on the
transportation landscape of Metro Manila.
By significantly decongesting major thoroughfares, it is expected to
alleviate pressure on key routes, effectively enhancing traffic flow and
reducing overall commute times.
Moreover, the project aims to improve connectivity between vital commercial
hubs and legislative areas, promoting economic activities and facilitating
the movement of goods and services.
Additionally, the successful implementation of Skyway Stage 4 is likely to
encourage further infrastructural investments and developments in the
region, as improved transportation networks often lead to increased
property values and business opportunities. Furthermore, enhanced road
systems can lead to improved air quality and reduced vehicle emissions,
aligning with broader environmental goals.
The Skyway Stage 4 project represents a significant effort to modernize the
transportation infrastructure of Metro Manila. Through its strategic
design, extensive route coverage, and potential to ease traffic congestion,
this expressway aims to address some of the long-standing challenges faced
by commuters in the metropolis