NAIAX speed limit: New 80 km/h signs were supposed to be covered

Last Friday, we published an article to clarify the reports that said the NAIA Expressway (NAIAX) has raised its maximum allowed speed from 60 km/h to 80 km/h.

We reached out to Nelly Argota, General Manager of SMC Southern Tollways (NAIAX, Metro Manila Skyway, Skyway 3, SLEX, and STAR Tollways) for clarification. She clearly said that SMC Southern Tollways is still implementing the original 60 km/h speed limit on NAIAX; a limit that has been in place since 2017.

In the comments section, readers stated that NAIAX management has already installed new 80 km/h speed limit signs all along the elevated toll road that serves to link the terminals of the Manila International Airport to SLEX, Skyway, and CAVITEX. Needless to say that had us confused, so we sent out our Cavite-based photographer early for the weekend so he can check.

His photos told the story: it was absolutely clear NAIAX had installed new 80 km/h signs on the road, and there was no disputing that the signs were of the correct standard and clearly visible.

We showed the images to GM Argota, and it seems someone at NAIAX didn’t inform their group GM that the signs were up and already visible to motorists. She did say that they were evaluating the change, but they needed to make an announcement first to communicate it to the public. The visible 80 km/h signs preempted their official announcement because the signs became the announcement.

Normally when a road transport authority or toll road operator installs a sign that denotes a major change such as a new turn, new intersection, or new speed limit, such signs will be covered. A move such as changing the speed limit has to be coordinated across the organization, and clearly someone was excited to up the limit to 80 km/h.

Here’s the thing: unless the signs have since been covered, the toll road operator will be hard pressed to apprehend motorists driving at 80 km/h on NAIAX.

We messaged her Friday evening that it seems we had shared fake news when we published an article stating 60 km/h is still the speed, and she was quick to respond.

“Hindi [fake news] kasi hangga’t walang official na lumalabas, ‘di pa yan effective,” said Argota. “Lagot sa akin [ang] ‘di nag cover niyan.”

Ouch. Someone at NAIAX must have had a really bad weekend.