Two road projects to benefit motorists in the north

Faster trips, smoother connection to three expressways by 2015
Royston Sim Straits Times 28 Feb 12;

MOTORISTS driving to and from Yishun or Seletar Aerospace Park will enjoy faster journeys and a smoother connection to three expressways by 2015.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has rolled out two new road projects to improve accessibility and road capacity in the northern part of Singapore, in anticipation of upcoming developments there.

Once these are completed, motorists travelling from Yishun to the Central Expressway (CTE) can expect to save up to 10 minutes on their journeys, it said.

Yesterday, the LTA awarded a $75million contract to civil engineering firm OKP Holdings to expand the interchange connecting the CTE, Seletar Expressway (SLE) and Tampines Expressway (TPE).

The LTA also announced that it would soon call for tenders to construct a new road link between Yishun Avenue 6 and the TPE. This is expected to ease traffic flow along the busy Lentor Avenue and Yishun Avenue 2.

As part of the interchange expansion, OKP will build four new flyovers to connect Seletar West Link with the CTE, the TPE and Yio Chu Kang Road.

It will also widen the Yio Chu Kang flyover and a portion of the SLE and TPE. Work is scheduled to start next month.

OKP was previously involved in the CTE widening project, building two new flyovers between Braddell Road and the Pan-Island Expressway that were completed last year.

Its group managing director, Mr Or Toh Wat, said it aims to minimise disruption to motorists. The construction work will be carried out mostly during off-peak hours or at night, particularly if there are temporary lane closures involved, he said.

Advance notices and signs will also be put up at least a week before a road is closed, he added.

Besides the interchange expansion, the LTA will build a new road link between Yishun Avenue 6 and the TPE.

A new dual two-lane road will be constructed between Yishun Avenue 1 and Avenue 6, while the existing Seletar West Link will be widened from a dual one-lane to a dual three-lane carriageway.

Tenders for this new road link will be called soon, and construction is expected to start in the third quarter of this year.

Like the interchange expansion, this project is expected to be ready by 2015.

By then, motorists can look forward to better connectivity and faster journeys between Yishun, Seletar Aerospace Park and the three expressways, said the LTA.

Two new road projects to improve connectivity in northern S'pore
Channel NewsAsia 28 Feb 12;

SINGAPORE: The Land Transport Authority has announced two new road projects to improve overall road connectivity and capacity in the northern part of Singapore.

The first, costing S$75 million, will involve expanding the existing interchange that connects the Central, Tampines and Seletar Expressways.

As part of the expansion project, four new flyovers will be built.

Five new road connections will also be created to improve the connectivity between the expressway and the road network.

The CTE/SLE/TPE interchange expansion project has been awarded to Or Kim Peow Contractors (Private) Limited.

The five new road connections will be from Seletar West Link to CTE; from CTE to Seletar West Link; from Seletar West Link to Yio Chu Kang Road; from Yio Chu Kang Road to Seletar West Link; and from TPE (westbound) to Seletar West Link.

The second project will involve building a new road between the TPE and Yishun Avenue 6.

Tenders for the new road link will be called shortly.

When completed by 2015, motorists can look forward to better connectivity and faster travelling time between the three connecting expressways, Yishun Town and the new Seletar Aerospace Park.

For example, motorists travelling from Yishun Town to CTE can expect time savings of up to 10 minutes.

- CNA/cc