Yes, you read that headline right. San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is set to build another expressway in Metro Manila. It will be called the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX), and it's aimed to further reduce traffic in EDSA, South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), and other major roadways in the metro.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, together with SMC president and CEO Ramon Ang, led the official signing of the SALEX Project Supplemental Toll Operations Agreement (STOA) and annexes yesterday, June 20, 2022.

The new agreement will pave the way for the start of construction of the 4 sections of the aforementioned expressway. The segments will include the C3-R10 Extension, Shoreline Expressway, Quirino Extension, and Buendia (Gil Puyat Avenue) Extension. The DOTr, SMC, and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) likewise aim for the SALEX to contribute to the economic development of the National Capital Region (NCR) and Central Luzon.

The first section (C3-R10 Extension) will connect with the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 (MMSS3) at Sgt. Rivera in Quezon City to the proposed Shoreline Expressway at R-10. The second section is the Shoreline Expressway which will start from Ayala Bridge passing along Ayala Boulevard, San Marcelino Street, Padre Faura Street, A. Mabini Street, Pedro Gil, and Roxas Boulevard.

Next is the third section called Quirino Extension which will link MMSS3 at the Quirino Interchange to the proposed Shoreline Expressway and in Roxas Boulevard via an elevated structure. Last but not least is the Buendia Extension which intends to connect the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAX) to the intersection of Gil Puyat Ave. and Roxas Boulevard, MMSS3, and EDSA.

Once the project is complete, not only will the toll road free up traffic in the metro, but it will also provide direct access to the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) or the Bulacan Airport. In addition, the SALEX will be able to cater to both passenger and cargo vehicles simultaneously.

With the DOTr and SMC signing the initial paperwork for the SALEX project to begin, we're excited as to how the SMC and the DPWH will be able to make the expressway a reality.