A new North-South expressway to be completed in 2020 will better connect people living in the north of Singapore to the city. (File photo)
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is set to build the North-South Expressway (NSE) which is expected to slash travelling time for those living in the northern and southern areas of Singapore.
The construction of Singapore’s 11th expressway, which will cost between $7 billion to $8 billion, is due to begin in two years and should end by 2020.
On Wednesday, the LTA announced details of the 15.9km northern section of the NSE which will stretch from Admiralty Road West to Toa Payoh Rise.
It will comprise of an 8.8km viaduct and road tunnels linking estates such as Woodlands, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio and Bishan to the city. The roads will consist of three lanes in each way.
On the other hand, the route of the 5.1km southern section is still being firmed up and will be announced at a later date. This section is expected to connect to the East Coast Parkway (ECP).
The LTA said that the NSE is expected to relieve congestion on the Central Expressway (CTE) which is the only highway for the north-south corridor that sees heavy traffic from the northern and central parts on the way to the city during peak hours.
While the CTE is on target to be widened to four lanes by the end of this year, experts said the roads will be unable to cope with future growth in traffic due to new homes being built in Yishun, Sembawang and Woodlands, and as the Marina Bay in the city centre becomes developed.
The NSE, which will connect to Seletar Expressway, could also improve traffic flow on major roads like Thomson and Marymount. The LTA estimates it could ease traffic by 10 per cent to 15 per cent on the CTE and major roads.
The LTA also said it has planned extensively and carefully for the new highway to minimize the impact on the public.
In all, the government will acquire 38 lots of land entirely and 33 lots partially. They will include about 25 terrace houses at Marymount Terrace, and part of Marymount Convent which houses the living quarters of nuns and a nursing home.
Also affected are industrial land owned by JTC Corporation as parts of fences, boundary walls and grass verges of condominiums such as Nuovo, Castle Green and Seletaris.
However, residents from Marymount Terrace were none too pleased after officials from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) turned up in the area on Wednesday morning to serve acquisition notices to inform them they had to move out of their homes by January 2013.
Residents were also given a letter informing them that meetings to determine compensation for their properties will be held next month. It will be pegged to the market value as at the date of the land acquisition.
Still, high among the worries of the residents is hunting for a new home.
Mr Kelvin Tan, 47, who works in the military said, “I hope the Government can help us, find places to settle down…the market is hot now so we will have to join the queue and I don’t know if we can get a place.”
One resident in her 80s, who wanted to be known as Madam Ho, sobbed when she heard the news. She said that she would not be able to visit her neighbour every day for coffee and a chat once they move out.
“It’s hard for senior citizens like us to move around. After 16 years of living together, it’s hard to just let go,” she told The Straits Times.
Other Singaporeans on the other hand, such as Mr Patrick Liow, 54, said the construction of the NSE is good news. Mr Liow lives in Yishun and sends his daughter to NTU in Jalan Bahar at 8am before going to his office in Ayer Rajah.
“It’s always jammed. Ang Mo Kio, jam. Marymount Road, jam. Lornie Road, jam. Farrer Road, jam,” he said.
“This expressway is long overdue.”
UL notes - Think i go buy Poresia membership, sure can sell in 2013...
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Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:39 pm
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