China shows interest in completing Skyway project

China has expressed interest in completing the unfinished Skyway project at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila said yesterday.

According to Favila, no less than Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao expressed China’s interest, particularly the government-owned China Roads and Bridges Corp.,  in completing the Skyway project which was supposed to link Alabang to Makati and then up to Balintawak, Quezon City.

The current Skyway is only 14 kilometers from Bicutan to Buendia in Makati, with several columns standing as evidence of the unfinished project.

The Bicutan to Buendia portion was completed in 1998.

China, furthermore, Favila said, is going a step further and offering to takeover the third stage of the Skyway project which would ambitiously link the SLEX to the North Luzon Expressway.

However, while the government welcomes China’s offer, Favila said that he has asked China to talk with the Indonesian Citra Group, proponent of the Skyway project, regarding a possible joint venture to complete the remaining 9.9-killometer portion from Bicutan to Alabang.

Favila had earlier spoken to the Indonesian proponents about the completion of the Skyway project following President Arroyo’s instruction to complete the elevated highway before her term ends.

The Indonesian’s, Favila said, had assured him that they are still interested in completing the project and were suppose to have submitted to Favila their plan and timetable for the eventual completion of the Skyway project.

Favila is putting some urgency into getting the Chinese and Indonesians to agree on completing the Skyway project because of possible structural complications from the already ongoing rehabilitation of the Alabang viaduct by the Malaysian construction group MTD Berhad.

According to Favila, the road design for the Alabang viaduct is from the ground going up to an elevated portion.

If the Skyway would be completed up to Alabang, Favila said, the various proponents should try to synchronize and configure their structures as an entirely elevated highway.

Extension of the Skyway from Bicutan to the Alabang viaduct, Favila said, could be completed in 15 to 18 months.

Estimated  total cost, including right of way, of the entire Skyway project is P54 billion for both Stage 2, Bicutan to Alabang and Stage 3, Buendia to Balintawak. 

Stage 2 - from Bicutan to Alabang - would cost P12 billion.

Stage 3 - from Buendia to Balintawak - is  13 kilometers and would cost P42 billion, including right of way, and could be completed in 25 to 30 months.