WIDENING OF THOMSON ROAD

Mr Sia Khoon Seong asked the Minister for National Development and Communications when the stretch of Thomson Road between its junctions with Balestier Road and Moulmein Road will be widened and whether the plans to widen the road include (i) provision of a pedestrian crossing with controlled lighting; (ii) provision of a special lane at the Thomson Road/Balestier Road junction to allow cars to turn right from Thomson Road into Balestier Road at all times and not just between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. as at present; and (iii) special provision to allow cars of residents in Novena Estate to turn right from Jalan Novena into Thomson Road and to turn right from Thomson Road into Jalan Novena more easily and safely than at present.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, works to widen the stretch of Thomson Road (between Balestier Road and Moulmein Road) are expected to commence in July 1977.

No pedestrian crossing with controlled lighting will be provided. This is because there are already too many traffic signals along this stretch of Thomson Road, Instead, a pedestrian overhead bridge will be constructed in front of the Novena Church in conjunction with the road widening scheme to ease traffic flow and for the safety of the pedestrians.

Cars will be allowed to turn right from Thomson Road into Balestier Road at all times after the road has been widened.

An extra lane will be provided for right-turning vehicles from Thomson Road to Jalan Novena Barat. However, for traffic and safety reasons, right-turning will be prohibited from Jalan Novena Barat to Thomson Road.