Skyway Extension southbound set for completion by Q3

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is set to accelerate the construction of the Skyway Extension project’s southbound section, which is eyed for completion by the third quarter of the year.

The southbound section has two lanes and runs from the Skyway main toll plaza to Soldier’s Hills in Muntinlupa, with a total distance of four kilometers.

On Sunday, SMC opened two of three lanes of the project’s northbound section, which covers four kilometers from Susana Heights to Sucat in Parañaque.

“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 improvement in traffic flow, particularly on SLEX and the Alabang viaduct. That makes us even more determined to complete the southbound section to fully serve motorists and improve traffic and connectivity to and from the south,” SMC president Ramon Ang said on Wednesday.

Ang said the Hillsborough off-ramp of the elevated southbound Skyway would be closed to motorists beginning April 19 as part of the next phase of construction.

Vehicles coming from the elevated Skyway should exit at the steel ramp in Alabang.

SMC advised motorists to brace for traffic jams 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,” Ang said.

The project is part of the 38-kilometer elevated Skyway system, which includes the newly opened Skyway Stage 3.

The Skyway system is seen as a game-changer 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.