Heavy traffic in Alabang expected as Skyway extension works accelerate

_{A flyover is seen at the South Luzon Expressway in Manila on November 18, 2010. The Philippine government said November 18 it would ask investors to pour in billions of dollars to upgrade the nation’s creaking infrastructure, promising protection from business blackholes.}

Food, drinks and infrastructure conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) told motorists to prepare for heavier traffic conditions in Alabang as it accelerates the construction of the Skyway extension project.

Starting midnight on Feb. 20, SMC said it would close the Alabang southbound exit toll plaza, beside the Alabang viaduct, to make way for the “advanced phase” of construction.

The project, expected to provide a road alternative to motorists in Southern Metro Manila, would be completed by June this year, SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang said on Wednesday. The Skyway Extension project is part of the firm’s 38-kilometer elevated Skyway system.

During the closure of the Alabang toll plaza, SMC said class 1 vehicles, typically cars, vans and sports utility vehicles, heading to Alabang or Alabang-Zapote road may take the Filinvest exit toll plaza.

It said all vehicle classes bound for Alabang, Putatan and National Road could take the Susana exit toll plaza, turn right at Susana Heights Avenue and access the National Road.

“We’re again appealing for patience and understanding from our motorists in the south and residents in the area, for any delays that they may experience, as we work to complete the Skyway Extension. We’ve put in place measures to help mitigate the impact on you and to ensure safety,” Ang said in the statement.

He called the road closure in Alabang a “temporary inconvenience.”

“The benefits—eliminating traffic and providing seamless travel—will be well worth it,” he said.

The Skyway Extension project extends the expressway from the Skyway main line toll plaza in Sucat, Paranaque to Susana Heights at South Luzon Expressway.

This provides motorists access to Skyway 1 and 2 and SMC’s recently opened Skyway Stage 3. It will add three lanes going north and two lanes going south.

Once completed, the Skyway Extension would make travel to and from southern Metro Manila and southern Luzon provinces much faster and more convenient, especially with the new Skyway Stage 3 from Buendia, Makati to the North Luzon Expressway, SMC said.

Article and Photo originally posted by Inquirer last February 19, 2021 5:14am and written by Miguel R. Camus.