President Duterte led the inauguration of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Elevated Extension Project in Alabang, Muntinlupa City that is poised to end the perennial traffic congestion in the southern part of Metro Manila on Tuesday, Feb. 15.
The 3.99-kilometer road network is a three-lane expansion project designed to ease traffic congestion in the area which usually stretches to 10 kilometers.
It links SLEX to the Skyway from Susana Heights to Sucat, Paranaque and can accommodate an additional 4,500 vehicles per hour.
During the inauguration, President Duterte welcomed the development which was delivered at a time when the country's economy "is slowly opening up and recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic."
"I am personally excited to see the outcome of this expansion project which is expected to promote greater mobility, help ease traffic, and redound to the economic growth and productivity in Metro Manila and its surrounding areas," the President said.
According to Ramon S. Ang, president and chief operating officer of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), which funded the P14-billion project, the newly-constructed road network is a solution to the years-long traffic congestion in the expressway that stretches to 10 kilometers during peak time.
"A few years ago, traffic along SLEX would stretch about 10 kilometers during peak time. One of the main problems was that over the years, the original design of the expressway that passes through the old Alabang viaduct," Ang said.
Ang also thanked Duterte for his support to the private sector which allowed them to deliver key infrastructure projects that are needed to drive economic recovery in these challenging times.
"With your approval we decided to take on this P14-billion initiative to decongest traffic and shorten travel time getting around Metro Manila," Ang added, stressing that the newly-completed project is "a product of a strong partnership between the private sector and the government."
The extension allows northbound motorists to bypass the usual chokepoints in Alabang, Magallanes and EDSA, as well as reach the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) within 25 to 30 minutes instead of the usual 2 to 3 hours of travel.
Duterte, who will end his term this year, reaffirmed his administration's dedication to complete critical infrastructure projects and sustainable development programs.
"Let me assure the entire nation that we will be unrelenting in the pursuit of a more comfortable life for everyone through safe and reliable infrastructure," he said as he ended his brief speech during the event.