How the gridlock-causing Skyway extension will look like when finished in Dec. 2020

Skyway O&M Corporation (SOMCO) on Thursday released a video of the envisioned P10-billion Skyway Extension Project which is expected to address traffic congestion along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), once completed by the target date of December 2020.

The extension project is a 6-kilometer extension of the Skyway which connects Barangay Cupang to Susana Heights in Muntinlupa City.

“This is due largely to the continued increase in the number of vehicles using the expressway over the years,” SOMCO said in a statement.

“If nothing is done, traffic is expected to worsen as current vehicle volume of about 1 million cars increases every year—especially with the continued growth in residential developments and business locators in provinces south of Metro Manila,” it added.

The extension is expected to increase the Skyway’s capacity by 4,500 vehicles per hour northbound, and 3,000 vehicles per hour southbound, giving more access to motorists traveling between Metro Manila and the southern areas such as Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and beyond.

Last month, the construction works for the project brought about the closure of a northbound lane at the SLEX—causing further congestion.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar earlier this week said the closed lane will be reopened before December 2019.

“Motorists will get a reprieve from traffic in the south by November when heavy preliminary works are targeted for completion, just before much of the Christmas rush,” said SOMCO.

“By that time, motorists will be able to use the third lane that is currently closed from ongoing construction works,” it added. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News