SMC adopts new SLEX traffic scheme

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. (SMC) said it is introducing a new scheme to further ensure a much smoother flow of traffic on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) amid  the opening of a new Alabang viaduct-Skyway ramp and the reopening of the third at-grade lane of the Skyway last Sunday.

“We’ve seen a big improvement in the flow of traffic at the SLEX this past week. Traffic moves quickly even during peak rush hours, and there is no longer a sea of cars on the SLEX,” SMC president and COO Ramon Ang said.

“Nevertheless, I have directed all our personnel to continue to closely monitor the traffic situation so we can make necessary adjustments quickly, particularly in areas prone to heavy traffic,” he said.

With the ongoing construction of the P10 billion Skyway Extension Project, SMC advised motorists that the Alabang-Zapote Road Elevated on and off-ramp near Bunye South Station will be closed from Monday to Saturday starting Dec. 9.

Northbound will be closed from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., while southbound is closed from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.

“During these times when the Alabang-Zapote Road Elevated On-Ramp is closed, motorists headed to the northbound elevated Skyway must use the ramp before the Sucat area,” SMC said yesterday.

“Meanwhile, southbound motorists must use the new ramp at the Alabang viaduct. Motorists headed to Alabang or the Alabang-Zapote road can exit at the Filinvest Toll plaza,” it said.

Ang said the 180-meter, two-lane ramp, which has a capacity of 5,000 vehicles per hour, and the reopened at-grade lane last Sunday have effectively increased the number of northbound lanes from the Alabang viaduct to five from just three.

He said the new ramp has the advantage of flexibility, as its configuration can be changed to either two-way traffic, or single-direction traffic depending on traffic conditions.

During peak or rush hours in the morning, both lanes can be opened for northbound use, while both lanes can also serve southbound motorists during peak or rush hours in the afternoon.   

SMC is targeting to open the northbound portion of the Skyway Extension project by July 31 next year, while the southbound segment will be completed by December next year.