Manila, March 11 -- The Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 (SS3) section that will link the Skyway system to the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway (NLEX-SLEX) Connector, will begin operation next year, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said Wednesday.

Once completed, the section will significantly improve travel between the northern and southern parts of Metro Manila.

In a media interview on the sidelines of the inspection of the SS3 project site in Pandacan, Manila, Lopez said the SS3 Section 2a will reduce travel time between Skyway and Buendia from two hours to around 30 minutes, while Skyway to Buendia up to Port Area will take around 25 minutes.

"Ang benepisyo dito ay ang sinasabi ng ating Pangulo [Ferdinand R. M...