MANILA -- Traffic congestion the Alabang area south of the capital will begin to ease when vehicles can access a total of 5 lanes on the northbound side of the South Luzon Expressway, San Miguel Corp said Wednesday.

Starting Dec. 1, a third lane will be opened on a portion of the Skyway while a new 2-lane ramp connecting the Alabang viaduct to the elevated highway will be operational, said San Miguel, which is building the Skyway extension.

"These enhancements will ensure that there will be 5 lanes available to northbound SLEX vehicles during rush hours, even as we go full blast with construction of the Skyway Extension project," said San Miguel President Ramon Ang.

During the evening rush hour, when vehicle volume is heavier going south, the ramp can be assigned for southbound use, San Miguel said.

The P10-billion Skyway extension, scheduled for completion in December next year, will extend the elevated highway to SLEX near Susana Heights and the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway from Alabang.

Ang earlier apologized to the public for further traffic congestion caused by the Skyway construction.