San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has secured approval to start the construction of the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX) project that will help ease the traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
Arthur Tugade, Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary, and Ramon Ang, SMC president, led the signing of the SALEX project Supplemental Toll Operations Agreement (STOA) and annexes last June 20.
The STOA signing paves the way to start the construction of the four sections of SALEX, namely, the Circumferential Road 3 (C3)-Radial Road 10 (R10) extension, Shoreline Expressway, Quirino extension and the Buendia (Gil Puyat avenue) extension.
SMC said SALEX aims to reduce traffic congestion in EDSA, South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and other major road corridors in Metro Manila through road networks that will service both cargo and passenger traffic.
DOTr, SMC and the Toll Regulatory Board aim for SALEX to contribute to the economic development of the National Capital Region and Central Luzon.
The toll road is also seen to provide efficient and direct access to the New Manila International Airport or the Bulacan Airport as well as support the gateway to deliver its full economic potential.
The project’s first section, C3-R10 extension, will connect Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 (MMSS3) at Sgt. Rivera in Quezon City to the proposed Shoreline Expressway at R-10.
Shoreline Expressway starts from Ayala Bridge passing on Ayala boulevard, the streets of San Marcelino, Padre Faura, A. Mabini and Pedro Gil; and Roxas b.
The Quirino extension will connect MMSS3 at the Quirino Interchange to the proposed Shoreline Expressway and in Roxas boulevard through an elevated structure.
The last section, Buendia extension, intends to connect Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway to the intersection of Gil Puyat avenue and Roxas boulevard, the MMSS3 and EDSA.
Early this month, the DOTr also led the signing of STOA for SMC’s 420-kilometer SLEX Toll Road 5 (TR5) project from Lucena, Quezon to Matnog, Sorsogon.
SLEX TR5 will connect the provinces of Quezon and Bicol. It is expected to provide better and safer access to tourism destinations, roll-on roll-off ports and fish ports in the two provinces and address traffic congestion in the Bicol Region.
SLEX TR5 is composed of eight segments which will run parallel to the existing Philippine National Railways, Maharlika Highway and Padre Burgos National Road or Quirino Highway.
