Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10) — The Department of Public Works and Highways aims to open the northbound lane of the Alabang-Sucat Skyway Extension by April.
This means motorists from the South Luzon Expressway or SLEX can take the ramp before the Alabang Purple Hill all the way to Skyway.
“The 3.9-kilometer Sucat-Alabang Skyway Extension Project can provide convenient travel to motorists who will be diverted from the at-grade segment of the Skyway to the elevated link,” DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said on Wednesday.
He claimed travel time from Skyway main line toll plaza in Sucat, Parañaque to Susana Heights in SLEX will be cut by half.
Villar added the project will also ease the traffic situation for those going home to provinces south of Metro Manila.
Jeepney driver Ariel Floresca hopes the Skyway Extension will reduce the traffic on roads in Muntinlupa and Parañaque cities.
The 33-year-old has been serving passengers on the route of Alabang to Western Bicutan Tenement in Taguig for several years now.
Floresca said the heavy traffic in these areas remains from time to time even during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
“Hindi rin kasi namin masabi, parami nang parami ‘yung sasakyan eh,” he told CNN Philippines. “Mauubos ‘yung diesel namin sa traffic. Inaabot pa nga kami ng minsan tatlong oras papunta lang doon [from Alabang to Western Bicutan Tenement].”
[Translation: It’s hard to tell right now, because the number of vehicles is also increasing. We will just run out of diesel because of the traffic. Sometimes it takes us three hours to reach Western Bicutan Tenement from Alabang.]
Secretary Villar said the northbound lane is now more than 90% complete. The southbound lane is also 89% complete and could be finished anytime between July to September, he added.
Engineers are hoping to meet the deadline before the rainy season, when building infrastructure projects are usually slower.
The project also includes widening of the Skyway Alabang Toll Plaza to accommodate more motorists.
More safety audits, measures
Villar said the DPWH and San Miguel Corporation have been implementing more safety audits and measures.
This is to avoid a repeat of the accident that involved a girder that collapsed in Muntinlupa last November.
READ: SMC’s Ang apologizes, vows help for victims of Skyway project accident
SMC has also put in place measures to help mitigate the impact of heavy traffic on motorists during the project’s final phase.
The construction work includes installation of girders, coping beams, and pre-cast slabs.
“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,” SMC President and COO Ramon Ang said in a statement.
Motorists are advised to take other routes, with the closure of the Alabang southbound exit toll plaza, beside the Alabang viaduct.
The alternative routes are:
* Class 1 headed to Alabang or Alabang-Zapote Rd. may take Filinvest Exit Toll Plaza towards their destination.
* Class 1, 2 and 3 vehicles bound for Alabang, Putatan, and National Road may take the Susana Exit Toll Plaza, turn right at Susana Heights Ave., and turn either left or right on the National Road to their respective destinations.
