Northbound section of Skyway Extension project 70% complete, says SMC

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) on Wednesday said the northbound section of the Skyway Extension project is now 70% complete and is on track to be completed by the end of 2020.

In a statement, SMC president and COO Ramon Ang said the P10-billion project—fully-funded by the conglomerate—will extend the Skyway from Susana Heights on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) to Sucat and back.

The project is seen to provide direct access to the elevated section of the Skyway.

It will also connect the SLEx and the Muntinlupa Cavite Expressway (MCx) to the Skyway at Susanna Heights, bypassing Alabang.

“We are on track to deliver the northbound section of the Skyway Extension project by December, and with this, motorists from the south can easily access Makati, Manila, San Juan, Quezon City, and the North Luzon Expressway,” Ang said.

“Under normal Metro Manila conditions, you will be lucky if you can get from SLEX to the North Luzon Expressway in under three hours. You would have to pass through traffic gridlocks in Alabang, Magallanes, practically the whole of EDSA, or various areas through Manila. With the Skyway Extension and the completed Skyway 3, you can get there in 30 minutes without stopping,” he added.

The project, which was started in late 2019, is also aimed at eliminating traffic buildup along SLEX heading to Alabang and the Alabang viaduct.

Previously, from five lanes on the SLEx, the expressway would narrow to just three lanes at the Alabang viaduct. The Skyway Extension will add three lanes northbound and two lanes southbound.

With motorists coming from Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas able to bypass Alabang, the easing of traffic in Muntinlupa and along the Alabang-Zapote Road, is also seen.

Originally set for full completion by end of this year, the project, like all other major infrastructure projects, has been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the project was delayed by the lockdown, Ang said, the completion of the southbound section is scheduled for July next year.

SMC’s infrastructure group is also almost done with the improving and reconfiguration of Skyway 1 and 2, which has allowed for the opening of an additional lane from Alabang to Magallanes. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA News