San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is set to fulfill its commitment to the public of providing a long-term solution to years of worsening traffic on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) approaching Alabang, Muntinlupa—brought about by rapid growth in Southern Luzon.

SMC president Ramon S. Ang formally announced the structural completion of the northbound section of the Skyway Extension project, with asphalt-laying set to be done by end of this month.

“I’m happy to announce that soon, we can open the northbound section of the Skyway Extension for our motorists coming from the south. This almost four-kilometer, three-lane expansion will have an additional capacity of 4,500 vehicles per hour, significantly easing congestion and allowing motorists to bypass the Alabang viaduct. Those coming from SLEX or MCX can go up the ramp at Susana Heights, and directly go to Makati, Manila, Skyway 3, all the way to Quezon City and North Luzon Expressway,” Ang explained.

“You can be at NLEX in 25-30 minutes instead of two to three hours, and bypass the usual traffic chokepoints such as Alabang, Magallanes, Edsa. This will be a big relief to so many motorists and will do a lot to ease traffic in southern Metro Manila, including on public roads leading to SLEX and Skyway,” he added.

The Skyway Extension project, conceptualized and fully funded by San Miguel, started in late 2019. The northbound section stretches 3.99 kms. from Susana Heights to Sucat. It is seen to decongest SLEX and Skyway at-grade traffic by diverting motorists straight to the elevated Skyway.

The project was originally set for completion by December 2020 but was affected by delays and work limitations brought about by the COVID-19 global pandemic, starting with the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) implemented beginning middle of March last year.

Ang thanked motorists and stakeholders, including the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, the local government of Muntinlupa, and private companies such as Filinvest, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and Meralco, for their full cooperation and support for the project.

“We would not be where we are today, nearing the full completion and opening of this project, without the cooperation of our motorists, who have had to adjust to new traffic schemes, and the support of our stakeholders in government, as well as the private sector, which accommodated the necessary traffic rerouting schemes,” said Ang.

“As with any major infrastructure project in our country, there are pain points in the beginning, such as traffic. But soon enough, we all feel its benefits for the long-term. So, much like with the opening of Skyway 3, I’m very excited for our motorists to finally use this northbound section and experience better, safer, faster trips on SLEX and Skyway,” Ang said.

Meanwhile, the project’s southbound section, which spans 3.8 kms., is already 52.31% done, with target completion set for July this year.