The construction of the first phase of the P10-billion C5-South Link Expressway is on track to meet its scheduled completion set for the first quarter of 2019, a ranking official from Metro Pacific Tollways South Corp. (MPT South) said on Thursday.

Luigi L. Bautista, the company’s president, said the project, a 7.7-kilometer, six-lane segment that will seamlessly connect C-5 to the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (Cavitex), is progressing as scheduled.

“When completed, the road will provide motorists from Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite direct access to C-5,” he said.

The project is expected to benefit roughly 50,000 motorists, as it will decongest Sales Road in Pasay and Edsa, cutting travel time from Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite to Taguig to as short as 20 minutes.

Bautista noted that his group will also be launching girders that will cross the at-grade portion of Skyway and South Luzon Expressway (Slex).

“This is a critical activity of the project and we expect substantial completion after the girders are installed,” he said.

This may have an adverse effect on traffic.

“We would like to seek the understanding and patience of all motorists using the Skyway and Slex between Nichols Toll Plaza and Bicutan. We… advise them to plan their trips and look for alternative routes,” he said.

There will be a partial closure of Skyway and Slex during off-peak hours, as it is necessary to position and install the girders.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., the largest toll-road operator in the Philippines, controls MPT South.