After the successful completion and opening of Skyway extension to Sucat section, the South Metro Manila Skyway project developer, Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corporation (CMMTC), and its contractor, D.M. Consunji, Inc. (DMCI), have resumed their work on the drainage system for the Skyway Sucat-Alabang extension. After embedding drainage pipes along the median of the at-grade section after Sucat Southbound (SB) Entry towards Alabang, from Pier 90 up to Pier 111,  DMCI started to excavate a portion of the lane  beside the column where the pre-fabricated box culverts will be installed.

In line with this, Ed Nepomuceno, Head of Special Operations and External Affiars of Skyway O&M Corporation (SOMCO), the Skyway System operator, explained that SOMCO will have to close the at-grade road’s innermost SB lane after the Sucat SB Entry all the way to Pier 111 from January 25 until February 10, 2011 from 10 p.m. to 2 p.m. the following day. Until the drainage activity is finished, SOMCO advises motorists to drive safely and stay alert when passing along the drainage work area.  They are reminded to keep their vehicles in good running condition for their own safety and that of other motorists.  They may also plan their trips or take alternate routes during peak traffic hours.

Team Skyway extends its apologies to Skyway motorists for any inconvenience this activity may cause and assures them that it will do its best to keep traffic moving steadily along the southbound lane as it rushes to finish the work.  The two-week lane closure has to be implemented to ensure speedy installation of the Skyway drainage system and the proper integration of its flood prevention system before early heavy rains and storms brought by the La Niña phenomenon starts battering Metro Manila in March, as forecasted by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA).

This drainage system undertaking also aims to put in place an efficient flood control mechanism which is an important part of the Skyway Stage 2 Project. The project is expected to finished earlier than its May 2011 target.

Meanwhile,  girder installation on the last remaining span (Pier 110 and 111) will be done tonight (Jan. 25) and tomorrow  (Jan. 26)  from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following day.