Skyway extension to Alabang now open

[JackFlash]

Good news to all "southerners!": http://www.skyway.com.ph/news/63-sky...-now-open.html

Skyway project developer, Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corporation (CMMTC), and Skyway operator, Skyway O&M Corporation (SOMCO), opened to traffic the Skyway extension to Alabang at 4 p.m. on April 6.

Skyway Stage 2 was inaugurated in the morning prior to the said opening. Transportation and Communication Secretary Jose P. de Jesus, who was designated by President Benigno Aquino III to attend the event in his stead, led the inaugural run through the new section. Joining him are Vice President Jejomar Binay, CMMTC Chairman Jose P. Magno III, CMMTC President and Chief Executive Officer Shadik Wahono, Indonesian Ambassador Yohanes Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo, D.M. Consunji, Inc. (DMCI) president and chief operating officer Jorge Consunji and other high-ranking government officials. A short program followed at the new Skyway Main Toll Plaza where Secretary de Jesus delivered a message from President Aquino, who had to decline from joining the Stage 2 inauguration due to previous work commitments. Meanwhile, former president Fidel V. Ramos, under whose administration the South Metro Manila Skyway Project was initiated as one of the government’s flagship infrastructure projects, also graced the Skyway inauguration.

CMMTC and its main contractor, DMCI,. began to construct Skyway Stage 2 in May 2009. By the end of March 2011, the project was substantially completed, ahead of its May 2011 official target schedule. The project’s Bicutan-Sucat section was completed and opened to traffic on December 15.

After the Skyway extension to Alabang is opened, the temporary On/Off ramps in the Bicutan area will be closed. Motorists coming from or going to SLEX can instead use the new permanent On/Off ramps across Hillsborough Subdivision while those coming from or going to Alabang will use the Alabang On/Off Ramps at South Station.

Also, the Skyway Toll Plaza A and B will no longer process toll transactions. All transactions such as E-Pass and payment for current toll fees of P85 for Class 1 vehicles and P170 for Class 2 vehicles will be done at the toll plazas in Dona Soledad, Dr. A. Santos and Alabang.

The Bicutan-Alabang section will be toll-free for 2 weeks before CMMTC implements the new toll rates for the integrated Skyway System.

Someone told me that a friend of theirs took only 8 mins from Nichols to Alabang. Now that's what I call driving. I just hope that the slow moving jologs drivers don't hog the fast lane as news of this spreads. Gentlemen, start your engines.