SLEX opens San Pedro northbound exit

MANILA, Philippines —  The government yesterday opened the northbound exit for San Pedro in Laguna at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), cutting travel time by 45 minutes for Manila-bound motorists.

Motorists coming from San Pedro now have a quicker way of reaching Manila with the opening of the northbound interchange to SLEX, a project co-funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways and the provincial government.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the interchange was long sought by motorists from San Pedro as the city used to connect to SLEX through a southbound exit only.

Prior to the opening of the interchange, motorists going to Manila had to go through the Manila South Road to reach Susana Heights in Muntinlupa where they could enter SLEX.

Others entered the southbound interchange of San Pedro to exit at Southwoods in Biñan, where they re-entered SLEX through the northbound plaza.

Bonoan said both options were impractical for motorists as these extended the time spent on the road, leading to productivity losses and additional spending on fuel.

The DPWH worked with Laguna’s District Engineering Office to invest up to P915 million since 2018 in putting up the northbound interchange.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the interchange would benefit up to 10,000 motorists every day.

The infrastructure will cut travel time between San Pedro and Manila by 45 minutes as motorists no longer have to negotiate longer routes to reach SLEX.

Dizon said the Department of Transportation and the DPWH have been directed by President Marcos to speed up the completion of the interchange.

Marcos wanted the interchange opened soonest to ease traffic conditions at the south of Metro Manila.

“Our President is focused on the convenience of motorists. This is why the Build Better More is geared toward making lives easier for our commuters and motorists,” Dizon said.

SLEX, operated by the San Miguel Corp., has been expanding access with new interchanges on the way as traffic builds up in Southern Tagalog due to new property developments primarily in Batangas, Cavite and Laguna.

SLEX will soon link the exclusive village of Ayala Greenfield Estates, a 550-hectare upscale community co-developed by the Zobels and Camposes.  –  Emmanuel Tupas