Construction of SLEX Elevated Extension completed

The public can now utilize the P14-billion South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Elevated Extension project following its inauguration yesterday. 

The ceremonial opening of the aforementioned project was led by President Rodrigo Duterte and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang.

According to Ang, the project is aimed to provide a long-term solution in the worsening traffic situation on the Skyway, SLEX, and public roads leading to and from them.  

“Since we soft-opened the southbound SLEX Extension last December 10, motorists in the south have seen a major improvement in the traffic situation. It has provided relief to thousands of motorists who go home every day to Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas. With both the southbound and northbound section of the SLEX Extension now fully operational, travel to and from the south is easier and faster than ever,” Ang said. 

SMC said that the recently completed SLEX Elevated Extension has the capacity to accommodate 200,000 cars daily.

 “We thank President Duterte and his Build Build Build team, especially the Department of Public Works and Highways, headed by Secretary Mark Villar who was with us at the start of the project and through most of its construction, as well as Department of Transportation Secretary Art Tugade. They both recognized the importance of this project and gave us all the support we needed from start to end,” he said. 

“I’m also very grateful for the help and cooperation of so many other stakeholders — from the local government of Muntinlupa and their traffic department; our private sector stakeholders, especially Filinvest Land, who made possible the required rerouting of traffic, and the utility companies, among others, for their cooperation,” Ang added. 

Further, the SMC chief expressed gratitude to the public for the patience that was accorded to the company since the start of the construction works, which suffered delays due to pandemic restrictions. 

“With the completion of this project, seamless connectivity between SLEX, the Skyway system, and NLEX is now a reality. With this, we can look forward to faster, more efficient travel, transport of goods, and improved trade throughout our cities and provinces. These will play a significant part in our economic recovery,” Ang shared.

The project was originally set for completion in December 2020 but was pushed back after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, which led to the imposition of several restrictions and slowed work progress.

Photos from San Miguel Corporation

Also read:

SMC chief says right-of-way issues delaying SLEX extension completion

SMC caught off-guard by speedy cashless toll implementation

How was the first day of cashless toll implementation? Generally smooth, Ang says