SMC: SLEX six-by-six seen to open in December

The new configuration of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) from Susanna Heights, Muntinlupa to Calamba, Laguna — with six lanes on both the northbound and southbound sides —is expected to open in December in time for Christmas, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) chairman and CEO Ramon Ang has said.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ang said the at-grade expansion on SLEX, undertaken by San Miguel unit SMC SLEX Inc., was "proceeding on schedule, with the said 29-kilometer stretch slated to open in the third week of December.”

The construction of the section from Calamba to Sto. Tomas, Batangas, and the expansion of 20 bridges connecting the SLEX main carriageway will be completed by July 2025, the SMC chief said.

 “This December, as our countrymen prepare to celebrate Christmas and travel more to spend time with friends and family, they can look forward to a wider, better SLEX. This will help in significantly reducing traffic buildup during the holiday rush,” Ang said.

“The SLEX expansion is a major undertaking that entailed significant effort and investment, and a lot of patience and cooperation from motorists and stakeholders. We are very glad that motorists can soon enjoy faster trips to and from Southern Luzon,” he added.

Ang said that ensuring that SLEX is fully operational throughout the construction period has been a consistent priority of the company.

“Our contractors and project teams continue to do everything they can to minimize impact on vehicle traffic,” Ang said. 

“We want to assure our motorists that we will continue to work as efficiently as possible, and minimize disruptions to their travel as we complete the expansion,” he added.

As the main expressway connecting Metro Manila to the CALABARZON region and beyond, the SLEX expansion program is seen to support the growth of Region IV-A, which accounts for about 15% of the country’s total gross domestic product, according to the SMC chief. —NB, GMA Integrated News