San Miguel Corp. on Tuesday said the completion of its P10-billion Skyway extension project might be slightly delayed due to the coronavirus lockdown.
“The project’s original target completion date was December 2020, but the two-month delay is likely to push this back a little,” the company said in a statement.
Public and private construction projects have been allowed to resume under the modified enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) but workers must be housed and fed onsite and observe physical distancing rules, among other requirements for construction work during the pandemic.
The government gave the go-signal for the resumption of construction activities on May 15.
The company said that as part of its efforts “to get back on track with the construction of the project following a 60-day delay due to the enhanced community quarantine, the Skyway Alabang Toll Plaza Southbound Entry will be closed from May 31 to June 15.”
The closure will make way for bored piling works at the southbound section.
“Because of the temporary closure, a new traffic scheme will be implemented with the help of the Muntinlupa Traffic Management Bureau,” it added.
The company advised private cars to take Filinvest entry and/or national road to Susana Heights entry. Trucks and buses are advised to take the national road to Susana Heights entry.
“We are happy to report that despite the long delay due to the ECQ and the limited workforce deployed, we’ve been gaining a lot of ground in terms of construction these past two weeks. Workers are also back at the site and earning income for their families. We’re asking for the public’s continued cooperation and kind understanding for any delays our work might cause,” SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang said.
The project aims to extend the Skyway from Susana Heights in South Luzon Expressway to Sucat and back and provide direct access to the elevated section of the Skyway. Construction of the four-kilometer elevated viaduct started in June last year.
Once completed, the project’s three new northbound lanes will be able to accommodate an additional 4,500 vehicles per hour. The two additional southbound lanes will be able accommodate an additional 3,000 vehicles per hour. — Arjay L. Balinbin
