CONSTRUCTION OF NORTH-SOUTH EXPRESSWAY

CONSTRUCTION OF NORTH-SOUTH EXPRESSWAY

46.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Transport whether the proposed North-South Expressway will be constructed and, if so, when will the construction commence.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: The Concept Plan 2001 established the need for a North-South Expressway (NSE) to support the anticipated increase in traffic along the major north-south corridors in the long term, given the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) plan to increase residential developments in the north and north east of the island and employment in the city area.

Currently, no implementation timeframe has been established for NSE. The Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE), which will be completed by the end of 2008, should relieve the current pressures on the Central Expressway (CTE) and Upper Serangoon Road. But as this is a dynamic situation, we will continue to assess the development growth and traffic conditions of the northern sector to ensure the timely implementation of the NSE.