South Luzon Expressway

Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:About Template:Use mdy dates Template:Use Philippine English Template:Infobox road The South Luzon Expressway (SLEX),Template:Efn signed as E2 of the Philippine expressway network and R-3 of the Metro Manila arterial road network, is a controlled-access highway that connects Metro Manila to the provinces in the Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Bicol Region on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. The expressway has a length of Template:Convert, traveling from its northern terminus at the Magallanes Interchange in Makati to its southern terminus at Santo Tomas, Batangas, connecting it to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway). A portion of the expressway from the Magallanes Interchange to the Calamba Exit is part of Asian Highway 26 of the Asian highway network. It will be the longest expressway in the Philippines starting with the completion of Toll Road 4 surpassing the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) as well as providing a gateway to Visayas upon the completion of Toll Road 5.

The expressway also serves as a major utility corridor, carrying various high voltage overhead power lines and an oil pipeline. Notable power lines using the expressway's right of way for most or part of their route are the Sucat–Paco–Araneta–Balintawak transmission line, and the Biñan–Calamba and Calamba–Bay lines. The Magallanes–Alabang section of the expressway was also used to carry the Batangas–Pandacan oil pipeline.

The expressway was built in 1969 to develop areas adjacent to Metro Manila, particularly the south. The original route spanning from Magallanes, Makati, to Alabang, Muntinlupa, was extended to Laguna in 1978.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 1995, the Magallanes–Alabang section became part of the Skyway System's at-grade section. Rehabilitation efforts on the expressway followed, lasting from 2006 to 2009. Operations were transferred from Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) to the South Luzon Tollways Corporation (SLTC) and Manila Toll Expressway Systems (MATES) on May 2, 2010. Additionally, it is connected to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road in Batangas, through the Toll Road 3 project (Calamba–Santo Tomas) that was constructed from 2007 to 2010, inaugurated on June 15, 2010, and opened to the traffic six months after its inauguration on December 15, 2010.

Route description

File:SLEX Skyway - near Sucat (South Superhighway, Muntinlupa)(2017-05-25) 2.jpg

Skyway At-Grade southbound below Skyway in Muntinlupa

File:SLEX, Cabuyao (Laguna; 12-30-2021).jpg

SLEX northbound in Santa Rosa, with the E2/AH26 reassurance marker

File:SLEX TR3 at Calamba Laguna 2022-12-11.jpg

SLEX Toll Road 3 southbound in Calamba

The South Luzon Expressway cuts southwards from Metro Manila up to the provinces in Calabarzon. The expressway consists of two sections: the Template:Convert Skyway At-Grade segment, which runs underneath the Skyway from Magallanes Interchange in Makati to Alabang Exit in Muntinlupa,<ref name="smctollways">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the Template:Convert South Luzon Tollway (SLT) segment, also called the Alabang–Calamba–Santo Tomas Expressway (ACTEX), from Alabang to Santo Tomas, Batangas. Skyway At-Grade operations are held jointly by the Skyway Operations and Maintenance Corporation (SOMCO) and SMC Skyway Corporation (formerly Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corporation),<ref name="trb_skyway">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="smc_sec">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> while the South Luzon Tollway segment of SLEX is held by SMC SLEX, Inc. (formerly South Luzon Tollway Corporation), a concessionaire operated by Manila Toll Expressway Systems, Inc. (MATES) and a joint venture of the Philippine National Construction Corporation and the San Miguel Corporation-backed PT Citra Marga Nusaphala Persada Tbk group of Indonesia. SLT/ACTEX is further divided into three phases:<ref name="trb_slex" /><ref name="sltc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="ppp2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="mtd">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="order">Template:Cite news</ref>

• SLEX Toll Road 1 (TR1): Alabang Viaduct in Muntinlupa
• SLEX Toll Road 2 (TR2): Filinvest Exit to Calamba Exit
• SLEX Toll Road 3 (TR3): Calamba Exit to Santo Tomas Exit

The South Luzon Expressway starts as the physical extension of Osmeña Highway past the Magallanes Interchange, where it also meets Circumferential Road 4, particularly EDSA. The expressway runs through Template:Convert, spanning the cities of Makati, Pasay, Taguig, Parañaque, and Muntinlupa in Metro Manila and the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas. From its northern terminus at Magallanes Interchange, the expressway follows a straight path southeast in parallel to the PNR South Main Line until the Bicutan Exit, where it slightly bends to the south towards the Alabang Exit. Two service roads run on either side of the expressway from Sales Interchange to Alabang Exit, namely: West Service Road and East Service Road. Bicycle lanes are also present on the outermost lane of the toll-free northern section of the expressway, between the Magallanes and Sales Interchanges.

At the Alabang Exit, SLEX ascends to the Alabang Viaduct,<ref name="ppp2" /> a Template:Convert, eight-lane viaduct over the Manila South Road through Alabang, Muntinlupa. After its descent at Filinvest Exit, SLEX mostly parallels the Manila South Road in Muntinlupa and northwestern Laguna, passing through the Susana Heights Exit connecting it to the Muntinlupa–Cavite Expressway.<ref name=":1">Template:Google maps</ref> It continues as a straight roadway lined with billboards and passing through residential and industrial areas. Past the San Pedro Exit, the expressway then curves and ascends past the Petron and Caltex service areas. Past Santa Rosa Exit, SLEX narrows with guard rails as the median divider. At the Calamba Exit, the Pan-Philippine Highway concurrency ends as it leaves the expressway towards the west as Maharlika Highway. Past such exit, the expressway further narrows without exits and with bridges built with wide shoulders to accommodate future widening. It follows a curved route paralleling the Pan-Philippine Highway (Maharlika Highway) from Calamba to Santo Tomas, Batangas. It then meets its future interchange with SLEX Toll Road 4 (TR4), which will extend it up to Lucena and eventually to Matnog, Sorsogon, via SLEX Toll Road 5 (TR5). It then curves as it enters Santo Tomas before it ends at kilometer 57.5, continuing towards Batangas City as the STAR Tollway.

History

Planning and construction

File:Slex old.png

SLEX near the original Alabang Toll Plaza in 1976

The South Luzon Expressway was originally built during the 1960s as the Manila South Diversion Road, South Superhighway, or Manila South Expressway as newer roads used to travel from and to Manila.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite map</ref><ref name=":2">Template:Cite PH act</ref> Located then in the province of Rizal, the original stretch of the expressway, spanning approximately Template:Convert from EDSA (Highway 54) in Magallanes, Makati to Alabang Exit in Muntinlupa, was constructed beginning in 1967 and was completed on December 16, 1969.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite PH act</ref> It is the second roadway project completed by the Philippine National Construction Corporation, after North Luzon Expressway.<ref name="pncc" />

Later, the expressway was extended by another Template:Convert from Alabang up to Calamba, Laguna through the Manila South Expressway Extension project.<ref>Template:Cite PH act</ref><ref>Template:Cite PH act</ref><ref>Template:Cite PH act</ref><ref name=":5">Template:Cite book</ref> It included the Template:Convert Alabang Viaduct in Alabang. The extension was completed and inaugurated by President Ferdinand Marcos on May 4, 1978, which was opened to public use a few weeks later.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6">Template:Cite book</ref> The name of this highway, as it is now commonly referred to, significantly reduces travel time from Alabang in Metro Manila to Calamba, Laguna, by over 50 percent, decreasing the journey from one hour to approximately 20 minutes. The construction of this expressway incurred a cost of Template:Philippine peso.<ref name=":6" />

This facility features four lanes and traverses multiple municipalities in Cavite and Laguna before reaching Calamba. It includes four interchanges, two viaducts, eleven twin bridges, nineteen overpasses, and six underpasses, with a total bridge superstructure length of Template:Convert. The widths of the bridges range from two to six lanes. Notably, the Alabang Viaduct stands out as the most remarkable structure, boasting six traffic lanes along its entire length of Template:Convert, making it the longest six-lane viaduct in the country.<ref name=":6" />

In 1982, South Superhighway from Magallanes to Calamba was renamed to Dr. Jose P. Rizal Highway, after the Philippine national hero Dr. José Rizal, who hailed from Laguna. This renaming was brought about by Batas Pambansa Blg. 264.<ref name="bp264">Template:Cite PH act</ref> In 1989, it was renamed to President Sergio Osmeña Sr. Highway, after the Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña, by virtue of Republic Act No. 6760.<ref name="ra6760">Template:Cite PH act</ref> The act was amended through Republic Act No. 7625 in 1992 to rename its portion in Laguna from kilometer 28.387 in San Pedro southwards to Dr. Jose P. Rizal Highway.<ref name="ra7625">Template:Cite PH act</ref>

In 1995, the rehabilitation of the Template:Convert portion of SLEX from Magallanes to Alabang began as part of South Metro Manila Skyway Project Stage 1 that also includes the construction of the elevated Skyway above it up to Bicutan area.<ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite PH act</ref> Thus, the Alabang Exit, which was also the expressway's former southern terminus, was designated as the concession boundary as PNCC decided to split SLEX into two concessions – the section from Magallanes to Alabang is made part of the Skyway System as the Skyway At-Grade, while the remaining section from Alabang southwards retains the South Luzon Expressway concession branding.<ref name="trb_skyway" /><ref name="pncc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Expansion and rehabilitation

File:SLEx SLT-Calamba.jpg

SLEX Calamba segment in 2007, prior to the completion of rehabilitation work

In 1996, PNCC entered into a joint venture with Hong Kong-based Hopewell Holdings to modernize and extend the expressway.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The JV agreement also proposes the extension of the expressway by about Template:Convert from Calamba to Pagbilao, Quezon. However, Hopewell Crown Infrastructure Inc. (HCII) would later back out of the undertaking in 2003, thus Hopewell's deal with PNCC was also terminated in 2005.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On February 1, 2006, a new agreement was signed between Malaysia-based MTD Berhad and PNCC to rehabilitate, extend, and operate the expressway. Rehabilitation work started in May of that year, with heavy traffic brought by construction work. Prior to its rehabilitation, the South Luzon Expressway section from Alabang to Calamba was mostly an expressway with a grass median and two lanes per direction. The widening of the Alabang Viaduct from three to four lanes per direction, a phase known as the SLEX Toll Road 1, was completed on November 11, 2008.<ref name="order" /> During the construction of Skyway Stage 2 from 2009 to 2011, there were traffic disruptions on the Bicutan–Alabang section. The use of the sosrobahu method to build and position the bridge piers helped mitigate these disruptions. Rehabilitation work on SLEX Toll Road 2 was finished in June 2009, resulting in the expansion of the Alabang–Santa Rosa section to eight lanes (four lanes per direction), similar to an American Interstate Highway, and the Santa Rosa–Calamba section to six lanes (three lanes per direction).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

One year and six months after the Alabang Viaduct was rehabilitated and widened and eleven months after the completion of rehabilitation and modernization of the expressway's Alabang–Calamba section, the operation and maintenance of the expressway was transferred from the government-owned Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) to South Luzon Tollways Corporation (SLTC) and Manila Toll Expressway Systems (MATES) on May 2, 2010.<ref name=":4" />

File:SLEX and Elevated Extension Southbound 2023-04-05.jpg

Southbound view of SLEX in Muntinlupa from SLEX Elevated Extension in 2023, with the additional lanes

The expressway became connected with STAR Tollway when construction works of Toll Road 3 project reached Santo Tomas Exit in 2009, making the exit the southern terminus of the expressway since then. The new Calamba Toll Plaza A and B and Ayala Greenfield Estate toll plazas were also commissioned in the same year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Toll Road 3, also known as the SLEX-STAR Tollway link, was then inaugurated on June 15, 2010, by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and opened to the public six months later on December 15, 2010, during the administration of her successor Benigno Aquino III, with the name Alabang–Calamba–Santo Tomas Expressway (ACTEX).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

MTD relinquished its stake in operating and maintaining SLEX to San Miguel Corporation (SMC) in January 2012. To decongest traffic, the SLEX Elevated Extension, originally known as Skyway Extension project, was constructed along the shoulder of the expressway in Muntinlupa from 2019 to 2021 and has connected the expressway's segment south of the Alabang Viaduct to Skyway Stage 2.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="slexelevated">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="rtvm">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In December 2022, the implementation of the Seamless Southern Tollways project began on SLEX to simplify the toll collection process to a single payment upon exit. Additional toll plazas were built at interchanges from Canlubang to Santo Tomas, while the Calamba and Ayala Greenfield Estates toll plazas were eventually demolished in 2024.<ref name="seamless" /> In 2023, an expansion project began to widen the expressway's segment south of the SLEX Elevated Extension ramps to six (2x6) lanes per direction, necessitating the felling of 8,766 trees along the route.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The project also involves the expansion of 20 bridges along SLEX,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with completion targeted for mid-2025.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It is expected to be complete by June 2025.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In addition, the Ayala Greenfield Interchange in Calamba broke ground on October 14, 2024.<ref name="age" />

Future

Toll Road 4

File:SLEX Future TR4 interchange 2024-06-26.jpg

Future interchange of SLEX Toll Roads 3 and 4 (under construction) in Calamba, as of June 2024.

The South Luzon Expressway Toll Road 4, also referred to as Toll Road 4 (TR4), is a Template:Convert<ref name="Patinio">Template:Cite news</ref> extension of South Luzon Expressway from Calamba (near its boundary with Santo Tomas, Batangas) to Lucena. Construction is divided into five segments, with one additional extension to Mayao in Lucena on the revised project outline.<ref name="trb_slex">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The extension project is implemented by the Toll Regulatory Board and will be operated by the SMC SLEX, Inc. (formerly South Luzon Tollway Corporation). The extension would decongest the existing national road between Santo Tomas and Lucena, and provide a modern alternate route for travellers from Quezon to the Bicol Region. Right-of-way acquisition is ongoing as of 2019, and the groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 26, 2019, alongside the beginning of construction.<ref name="TR4 PPP">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Right of way has been secured for the initial three segments from Calamba to Tiaong, with ongoing efforts to acquire land for the remaining stretch up to Lucena. The expressway's starting point has been relocated near the Ayala Greenfield Golf Course after several alignment adjustments prompted by right-of-way challenges. This section is designed initially with two lanes per direction, with potential for future expansion to 3–4 lanes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The expressway is expected to partially open in 2026 or 2027.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Toll Road 5

Template:Distinguish Template:Infobox road small The South Luzon Expressway Toll Road 5, also referred to as Toll Road 5 (TR5), will be the extension of South Luzon Expressway from Mayao, Lucena to the vicinity of Port of Matnog in Matnog, Sorsogon. The total length of the extension would be approximately Template:Convert.<ref name="TR5 PPP">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It will be four-lane divided toll road with 28 interchanges and eight segments.<ref name="tr5_stoa" /> It aims to decongest Andaya Highway and Pan-Philippine Highway, cut travel time from Manila to Naga by two to three hours, and to Matnog by six hours. When completed, it will become the longest expressway in the Philippines.

On June 29, 2020, the Toll Regulatory Board issued a resolution to declare this project a Toll Road upon the request of, and based on the proposal submitted by the joint venture (JV) of the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) and San Miguel Holdings Corporation (SMHC).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On August 25, 2020, San Miguel Corporation thru South Luzon Toll Road 5 Expressway Inc. announced they will invest this project alongside the Pasig River Expressway with a cost of Template:Philippine peso in order to boost the economy in Luzon.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The original plans for the expressway's extension are the Quezon-Bicol Expressway (QBEX or QUBEX), which was supposed to be an extension of the SLEX from Pagbilao to San Fernando, Camarines Sur. The 2017 proposal would have been a public-private partnership (PPP), with a total length of Template:Convert, and the 2019 proposal, which would have been Template:Convert, was supposed to be funded through the General Appropriations Act (GAA),<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but the proposal was removed from the priority projects list in 2022, and the PNR South Long Haul (SLH), which was originally intended to be funded by China and restore an old railway line from Calamba to Daraga over a distance of Template:Convert, was withdrawn in 2023 and then abruptly abandoned in 2025 owing to a lack of money.<ref name="mtd2">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="withdrawn">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>

On June 3, 2022, the Department of Transportation and San Miguel Corporation signed a Supplemental Toll Operations Agreement (STOA) for SLEX Toll Road 5, which was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte 24 days later.<ref name="tr5_stoa">Template:Cite news</ref> The construction would begin in 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Other future plans

Other planned expansion projects in the SMC–PNCC joint venture pipeline with connections to either SLEX and the Skyway system include:<ref name="San Miguel">Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Ordered list

Toll

Template:Multiple image Previously employing closed and barrier toll systems, the South Luzon Expressway fully employs a closed road system, wherein the toll fee is charged based on vehicle class and the distance travelled from the entry to exit point. The expressway's toll system is integrated with the South Metro Manila Skyway Project and Muntinlupa–Cavite Expressway (MCX).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Toll collection is done upon exit at either SLEX, STAR Tollway, or MCX, or at Skyway Main toll plaza in Muntinlupa, as part of San Miguel Corporation's Seamless Southern Tollways program.<ref name="seamless">Template:Cite news</ref> Access between the exits on the Canlubang–Calamba segment and on the northernmost segment between Magallanes and Sales interchanges remain toll-free.

The expressway fully implements an electronic toll collection (ETC) system, the Autosweep RFID, using RFID technology,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the system formerly used "E-Pass", which uses transponder technology. The ETC system is shared by the Skyway, STAR Tollway, NAIAX, MCX and TPLEX. Cash payments are still accepted although ETC is currently being maximized.

The toll rates by vehicle class are as follows:

Class	Amount (Magallanes–Alabang)	Amount (Alabang–Santo Tomas)
Class 1 (Cars, Motorcycles, SUVs, Jeepneys)	Template:Philippine peso/km	Template:Philippine peso/km
Class 2 (Buses, Light Trucks)	Template:Philippine peso/km	Template:Philippine peso/km
Class 3 (Heavy Trucks)	Template:Philippine peso/km	Template:Philippine peso/km

Services

Service areas

File:1688Mapagong, Calamba City 16.jpg

Petron Km. 44 Southbound in Calamba

The South Luzon Expressway currently has nine service areas, with four on the northbound and five on the southbound. All existing service areas occupy large land areas and have restaurants and retail space. The service areas also provide ETC reloading for Autosweep RFID users.

Location	Kilometer	Name	Services	Notes
Makati	8.7	Caltex Magallanes	Caltex	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Under construction. Formerly Shell Magallanes until 2024.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Muntinlupa	24	Caltex SLEX Northbound	Caltex, a shop	Demolished in 2006 after a larger service area in San Pedro opened
	25	Shell SLEX Southbound	BDO ATM, BPI ATM, Burger King, Cinnabon, Hen Lin, Jollibee, KFC, Panda Express, Select, Shell, Starbucks, Army Navy, Max's (formerly Sumoutori), UCPB ATM, Pancake House, Red Ribbon, Starbucks Coffee	Southbound only. Originally called Tollway Plaza.
San Pedro	28	Petron SLEX Southbound	BDO ATM, Burger King, Chatime, Chowking, Jollibee, McDonald's, Petron, San Mig Food Ave, Starbucks Coffee, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Potato Giant	Southbound only
		Caltex SLEX Northbound	BPI ATM, Brothers Burger, Burger King, Caltex, Chowking, Cinnabon, Hen Lin, Jollibee, KFC, Kuya J, Macao Imperial Tea, McDonald's, Pancake House, Panda Express, 7-Eleven (formerly Star Mart), Starbucks Coffee	Replaced the Caltex service area in Muntinlupa in 2006
Biñan	35	Shell SLEX Northbound	Army Navy, BDO ATM, BPI ATM, Café France, Casio Watch Outlet Store, Cecilia's Buko Pie, Chowking, Cinnabon, Fashion Rack Designer Outlet, J.CO, Jollibee, Kenny Rogers Roasters, KFC, Krispy Kreme, Levi's, Macao Imperial Tea, Max's, McDonald's, Metrobank ATM, Nike Factory Outlet, North Park, Pancake House, Potato Corner, Puma Outlet Store, Rai Rai Ken, RCBC ATM, Select, Shakey's, Shell, Sizzlin' Steak, Starbucks, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Uncle John's	Northbound only. Outlet stores added in 2016.
	37	Caltex SLEX Southbound	Addy's Market, Auntie Anne's, Army Navy, BDO ATM, BPI ATM, Brick Barn, EggStop, Kenny Rogers Roasters, Km. 36 South Market, Koomi, Love-a-Bowl, Macao Imperial Tea, McDonald's, North Park, Pepper Lunch, Potato Corner, Seattle's Best Coffee, Shakey's, Sisa's Secret, Starbucks Coffee, Tokyo Tokyo, Yellow Cab Pizza	Southbound only
Santa Rosa	40	Total (SLEX)	BPI ATM, Brothers Burger, Café Bonjour, Jollibee, Krispy Kreme, Mang Inasal, Max's, Miniso, PSBank ATM, RCBC ATM, Tapa King, Total	Northbound only
Calamba	44	Petron KM 44 Southbound	McDonald's, Petron, Potato Giant, Razon's Halo Halo & Palabok, San Mig Food Ave	Southbound only. Former Philippine National Construction Corporation field office.
		Petron KM 44 Northbound	McDonald's, Petron, Potato Giant, Rowena's, San Mig Food Ave, Chick 'n Juicy	Northbound only. Former Philippine National Construction Corporation equipment storage.

Lay-bys

The South Luzon Expressway also has lay-bys, or emergency parking areas where motorists can stop for safety checks on their vehicles and other emergencies.

External links

• South Luzon Tollway Corporation
• Skyway O&M Corporation Template:Webarchive