San Miguel Corporation (SMC) announced that the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) expansion project is approximately 70% complete, with a target completion date set for December, just in time for the holiday season.
This project is seen to further boost the economic prospects of the CALABARZON region and provide significant benefits for motorists.
The expanded expressway will offer faster, safer, and more convenient travel for southern residents, including those who commute to Metro Manila. It will also facilitate the influx of investments in the region and help in decongesting Metro Manila.
The ongoing SLEX expansion project, led by SMC SLEX Inc., aims to widen the expressway from the current three to four lanes to six lanes on each side. This is expected to dramatically improve traffic flow and enhance connectivity between southern and northern Luzon.
This initiative comes in response to the significant growth in traffic volume due to economic and population growth in recent years.
“The SLEX expansion will be a significant boost to the CALABARZON region, which currently generates almost 20% of the country’s GDP,” SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang said.
The expanded expressway will offer faster, safer, and more convenient travel for southern residents, including those who commute to Metro Manila. It will also facilitate the influx of investments in the region and help in decongesting Metro Manila.
Ang sought the public’s understanding on the temporary traffic slowdowns experienced along the expressway due to ongoing construction works. “We apologize for any inconvenience caused during this period. However, the long-term benefits, including improved traffic conditions and regional economic support, will be substantial,” he reassured.
While most landowners affected by the SLEX expansion project have been cooperative, a few have raised challenges by demanding excessive disturbance fees that threaten to increase project costs and potentially delay completion.
In particular, a notable case involves a property owner in San Pedro City who is demanding disproportionate compensation for alleged disruptions, even as construction work is being done outside their property line.
Ang assured that SMC is committed to resolving these issues promptly and equitably to ensure minimal disruption to all parties involved and that the project stays on schedule.
Meanwhile, Ang expressed appreciation to government stakeholders — from the Department of Transportation and the Toll Regulatory Board to the different local governments along the SLEX route — for their support in managing daily traffic effectively.
