New Skyway ramp, 3rd lane opening to ease SLEX traffic

Motorists on the South Luzon Expressway have to bear with the closure of Skyway at-grade’s outermost lane right after the Alabang Viaduct in Muntinlupa due to the construction of pylons for the 6-kilometer extension of the Skyway from Cupang to Susana Heights. (Photo by Yñigo Ferraz / Contributor)

MANILA, Philippines — Traffic on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) is expected to ease starting Dec. 1 with the reopening of the third lane of the Skyway at-grade level and the launching of a new two-lane ramp connecting the Alabang viaduct to the elevated Skyway.

Ramon S. Ang, San Miguel Corp. (SMC) president and chief operating officer, said this Wednesday following recent traffic woes experienced by motorists and commuters on the expressway.

“These enhancements will ensure that there will be 5 lanes available to northbound SLEX vehicles during rush hours, even as we go full blast with the construction of the Skyway Extension project,” Ang said in a statement.

“Motorists will be able to use the original three lanes at the at-grade section, plus 2 more lanes at the elevated section,” he added.

Ang hopes that the opening of the additional lanes will be “satisfactory” in easing traffic situation along SLEX.

“With anything new, we expect a period of adjustment for motorists. This may still cause some congestion in the beginning, especially with the sheer volume of vehicles on the SLEX every day. But we expect the traffic situation to improve quickly once we open,” Ang said.

Additional measures are also in place to improve traffic conditions on both southbound and northbound lanes of the expressway.

The measures to improve traffic conditions are a part of the construction of the Skyway Extension which seeks to extend Skyway from Alabang to SLEX near Susana Heights and the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX).

The P10-billion project, which is an initiative of the SMC, is set for completion in December 2020. It will allow motorists to bypass the Alabang Viaduct.

“We’ve also instructed our teams on the ground to constantly communicate with the different communities and villages for traffic matters,” Ang said. “In the meantime, we continue to appeal for patience and understanding, as we work on providing a long-term solution to traffic in south Metro Manila.”

/atm