SOUTHBOUND SECTION SEEN READY BY Q3 SMC STEPS UP WORK ON SKYWAY EXTENSION
Following the recent opening of the Skyway Extension’s four-kilometer northbound section to the public, San Miguel Corp. said construction of the project’s southbound section would advance and move at a faster pace, and would be completed by the third quarter of the year.
“It’s only been a number of days since we opened the northbound section, free to the public until further notice, and already we have seen a huge improvement in traffic flow, particularly on SLEx and the Alabang viaduct. That makes us even more determined to complete construction of the southbound section, so this project can fully serve motorists and improve traffic and connectivity to and from the south,” said SMC President Ramon Ang.
Ang said the soft-opening of the first two of the three lanes of the northbound Skyway Extension from Susana Heights to Sucat, Parañaque, proved to be timely, as it coincided with the easing of quarantine restrictions. Despite the higher volume of vehicles on the expressway, traffic has been smooth because many Class 1 vehicles now use the Skyway Extension.
As part of the next phase of construction, Ang said the Hillsborough off-ramp of the elevated southbound Skyway would be closed to traffic permanently starting April 19 at 6 a.m. As such, vehicles coming from the elevated Skyway will now exit at the steel ramp in Alabang. Heavy traffic is expected in this area.
“Unfortunately, there is no way around it, we need to close this portion to secure the staging ground for equipment and workers and to accelerate construction and ensure the safety of our motorists. I appeal to our motorists again for their patience and understanding. We expect heavy traffic to persist for the duration of the construction, but rest assured we will do everything we can to help mitigate this, and complete the project within the timetable,” Ang said.
With this, SMC Infrastructure is advising motorists to take the following alternative routes:
Alternative routes
Class 1 vehicles from Pasay, Makati, Manila, and Quezon City bound for SLEx and farther South
• From Skyway Elevated, keep left to Steel Ramp toward destination.
Class 1 vehicles from Pasay, Makati, Manila and Quezon City bound for Alabang
• From Skyway—Elevated, keep right to Alabang-Zapote off-ramp.
The Skyway Extension southbound section has two lanes, and runs from the Skyway Main Toll Plaza to Soldier’s Hills in Muntinlupa, with a total distance of 4 kilometers.
Meanwhile, Ang reiterated that use of the northbound Skyway Extension will remain free for motorists until further notice.
The Skyway Extension project is part of the 38-kilometer elevated Skyway System, which includes the newly-opened Skyway Stage 3, also fully-funded by SMC. The Skyway system is seen as a gamechanger for Metro Manila as it eases traffic congestion along major thoroughfares and provides a seamless link from the South Luzon Expressway to the North Luzon Expressway.