TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND NETWORK ON SENTOSA ISLAND

TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND NETWORK ON SENTOSA ISLAND:

(Enhancement): 5.

Dr Lam Pin Min asked the Minister for Transport whether there are plans to enhance the transport system and network in Sentosa Island in anticipation of the expected increase in tourists as well as vehicular traffic from the new Sentosa Integrated Resort.

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua (for the Minister for Transport): Mr Speaker, Sir, Dr Lam Pin Min asked about plans to enhance the transport network serving Sentosa Island given the anticipated increase in visitors to the island when the Integrated Resort opens.

Sentosa Development Corporation or SDC has been working closely with Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) to cater to the expected increase in tourists as well as vehicular traffic entering Sentosa with the opening of Resorts World. The aim is to ensure that the visitor experience into and on Sentosa itself will be a seamless and pleasant one.

Infrastructure improvements currently being considered include the addition of two more lanes into the Sentosa

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causeway bridge, dedicated lanes into and out of Resorts World and also road improvements within the Sentosa's internal network. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is also considering several improvements works on roads leading to Sentosa Island. This may include widening works along Sentosa Gateway, Telok Blangah Road and Kampong Bahru Road.

In addition to increasing the infrastructure capacity, SDC is also proactively exploring the adoption of other measures to encourage the use of public transport.

MTI, MOT and other agencies will work together to ensure that the infrastructure both within and leading to the Integrated Resort is able to support the anticipated increase in tourists as well as vehicular traffic.

Dr Lam Pin Min (Ang Mo Kio): Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of State two supplementary questions: firstly, are there plans to rejuvenate the ferry service to Sentosa or even consider a new ferry service from the mainland to the doorstep of the new Sentosa IR which may, hopefully, ease the land traffic demands? And, secondly, has the Ministry ever considered introducing other alternative transport modalities such as heli-transportation to Sentosa?

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua: Mr Speaker, the ferry services actually in a way compete with the monorail services. With the operation of the monorail, the bulk of the mass traffic itself has been transferred onto that. But, certainly, this would be one of those considerations that Resorts World and Sentosa Development Corporation can take into account as well.

As for the alternative forms, these are topics under discussion right now between Resorts World, MTI and Sentosa

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Development Corporation. Insofar as they have implications for the mainland traffic, LTA would also be involved.