ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING COVERAGE

ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING COVERAGE:

(Adjustments): 12.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Transport whether the adjustments to the ERP coverage can be made after the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) has been opened to traffic and a further assessment of the traffic conditions is made so as to take into account the revised traffic conditions.

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua (for the Minister for Transport): Mr Speaker, Sir, the opening of Phase One of the KPE from the ECP at Fort Road to the PIE from 26th October 2007 will bring relief to traffic flows on the road network in its vicinity and will mainly benefit motorists from Kallang, Geylang and the surrounding neighbourhoods. Motorists using the PIE and CTE to access the city presently will have an alternative route, while those from further north are expected to continue using the CTE. The KPE is therefore expected

to relieve the pressure on the CTE only when the entire KPE is opened by late 2008.

My Ministry recently announced the extension of the ERP coverage on the CTE and other expressways as traffic conditions on these roads have deteriorated below the speeds for optimal flow. We cannot afford to wait until the KPE is completed in late 2008 before addressing traffic congestion on these roads. However, after the KPE is opened, we will review and adjust the ERP rates of the roads in its vicinity accordingly, based on the prevailing traffic conditions on these roads then.