Traffic along Alabang to be rerouted this Feb. 16 – Here are the new routes

MANILA: Drivers, be aware. Skyway will be redirecting traffic from southbound lanes beginning February 16. The new traffic scheme will facilitate the Skyway Expansion Project.

The P10-billion project was proposed by the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) three years ago in the hopes of relieving traffic congestion in southern Manila. Its main goal is to expand the Hillsborough toll plaza leading to Alabang from two to three lanes each way.

Also included in the project is a 6-kilometer extension from South Station Alabang to SLEX Susana Heights in Muntinlupa. Its construction already started in August 2019 and is set to be finished by December 2020.

Following the approval of Skyway O&M Corporation (SOMCO), Filinvest Alabang, Inc. (FAI), and the Muntinlupa City Government, SMC announced the new routing scheme last Wednesday.

Below is a breakdown of closed lanes:

• Closure of Lane 3 of the Southbound Lane of Skyway at-grade and the Northbound Lane of the West Service Road from the Sucat Interchange to Alabang Viaduct
• Closure of the Southbound Alabang Exit Plaza and the Southbound Bunye South Station

These closures are temporary. They were supposed to be implemented last December, but because of the holidays, they had to be rescheduled. Work on the area, which includes bored piling and column installation, will last six weeks.

Since toll plazas will be closing, SMC announced these new routes:

• Class 1 Vehicles bound for Alabang-Zapote Road, Filinvest, or Daang Hari can take any of these alternative routes:

-From the Filinvest exit, right to Corporate Ave., left to Commerce Ave., right to Filinvest Ave., left to Alabang-Zapote Road to destination

-From the Filinvest exit, Straight to Filinvest Ave., left to Commerce Ave. and/or left to Alabang-Zapote Road to destination

• Class 1 and 2 Vehicles bound for Alabang or Alabang-Zapote Road can take the Filinvest Exit Toll Plaza, turn right at Corporate Ave., right to Civic Drive, right to Corporate Ave., and then right to Alabang-Zapote Road towards their destination.
• Class 1, 2, and 3 Vehicles headed to Alabang, Putatan, and National Road can take the Susana Exit Toll Plaza, turn right at Susana Heights Ave., and turn left or right on the National Road to reach their destinations.

Closure of Lane 3 and parts of the northbound West Service Road will result in these traffic adjustments:

• Class 1 Vehicles bound for Skyway NB elevated from Alabang-Zapote Road can take Filinvest Ave., turn left at Parkway St., and then right to the access tunnel to the Filinvest northbound entry. Drivers are advised to keep right and to use the ramp before the Sucat interchange to Skyway Main Plaza.
• Class 1 Vehicles bound for NB at-grade from Alabang Zapote Road can take the Filinvest Ave., turn left at Parkway St., and then right to the access tunnel to the Filinvest northbound entry.
• Class 1 and 2 Vehicles traveling to the East Service Road can take a U-turn at the Alabang Viaduct Ilalim in front of Starmall.

“We are once again appealing to motorists for their patience and understanding for the temporary inconvenience they may experience until construction activities are completed in the area,” said Ramon Ang, President and Chief Operating Officer of SMC.

SMC is the parent company of San Miguel Corporation Infrastructure which is responsible for operating the expressway.
Ang also extended his apologies to motorists, stating that they are working on this project with SOMCO, FAI, and the Muntinlupa Government as a long-term solution to traffic congestion.

Once completed, there should be five new elevated lanes. Three of which are northbound, while two are southbound. The Skyway’s capacity will also increase to 4,500 vehicles per hour for those who are headed north, and 3,000 vehicles per hour for those driving south.

All in all, this will make it easier for motorists coming from Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and other areas of Luzon to travel to and from Metro Manila.

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