SLEX Upgrades on Track for Completion in Q4 2024

The ongoing upgrades at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) are on schedule for completion by the end of 2024, according to concession holder San Miguel Corp. (SMC)-SLEX Inc.

In a statement, SMC-SLEX emphasized that these upgrades are part of their ongoing efforts to future-proof the tollway, which is a vital expressway in the Calabarzon region.

Key Upgrades and Improvements

The upgrades include the expansion of SLEX’s 36.1-kilometer main carriageway to six lanes on each side. Additionally, enhancements to the cashless toll collection system will allow for barrier-less toll plazas.

To further alleviate traffic bottlenecks, 20 bridges along the SLEX carriageway are being expanded to align with the new six-by-six lane configuration. This is expected to accommodate the increasing vehicle traffic in SLEX, which serves the rapidly growing provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon.

“SMC SLEX Inc. understands the importance of SLEX in supporting the growth trajectory of the Calabarzon Region, which accounts for about 20% of the country’s GDP,” the company stated. “Once the facility upgrades are completed, it will improve the quality of travel for the general motoring public and result in faster movement of goods and services as well.”

Seamless Southern Tollways Project

In 2022, SMC-SLEX implemented the Seamless Southern Tollways project, reducing the number of stops motorists had to make when traveling along the Skyway System, SLEX, and Star Tollway. This project led to the decommissioning of the Calamba Main Toll Plaza and the SLEX Greenfield Toll Plaza, turning them into pass-through lanes scheduled for demolition as part of the SLEX widening project.

Technological Enhancements

Entry toll plazas along SLEX have been equipped with automatic license plate readers (ALPR) to reduce the need for barriers, aligning with the government’s directive for contactless toll collection and barrier-less plazas. Along with RFID tags, ALPR cameras will cross-reference the entry and exit of vehicles by reading and recording license plates for accurate toll charging.

SMC-SLEX is also upgrading its servers to handle the growing number of vehicles using the expressway, ensuring a smoother and more efficient toll collection process.

Future Outlook

These comprehensive upgrades are set to significantly enhance travel quality and efficiency for motorists using SLEX, supporting the continued economic growth of the Calabarzon region.