NEW UPPER CHANGI ROAD/ BEDOK SOUTH AVENUE 1 (Openings in road divider)

Haji Sha'ari bin Tadin: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what was the rationale for closing up the opening in the divider, instead of installing traffic signals, at the New Upper Changi Road/Bedok South Avenue 1 junction, and is the Minister aware that the closure has resulted in (i) curtailment of bus services 31 and 401; and (ii) congestion of city-bound traffic along New Upper Changi Road; and (b) whether his Ministry will consider making an opening in the divider along New Upper Changi Road opposite Apartment Block 24, so as to enable motorists from the city to turn right into the car park at Block 24 or to make a U-turn.

Mr Speaker: Haji Sha'ari bin Tadin.

Mr Rohan bin Kamis: Question No. 11, Sir.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Teh Cheang Wan): Mr Speaker, Sir, the opening in the divider at New Upper Changi Road and Bedok South Avenue 1 junction was closed recently as it was hazardous for motor traffic to turn right from Bedok South Avenue 1 to New Upper Changi Road, in view of the heavy traffic along New Upper Changi Road. The installation of traffic signals at this junction was not recommended as it would reduce the traffic capacity of New Upper Changi Road, considering the fact that there were already four sets of traffic signals between Bedok South Road and Bedok Road. After the closure of the divider, traffic wishing to turn right from Bedok South Avenue 1 can still do so at two other signalised junctions at Bedok South Road and Bedok South Avenue 3.

Bus services 31 and 401 have not been curtailed. The closure of the divider has only resulted in the rerouting of bus services 31 and 401 from Bedok South Avenue 1 to Bedok South Road.

The congestion presently experienced along New Upper Changi Road between Bedok South Road and Siglap Road is not due to the closure of the central divider at Bedok South Avenue 1. It has come about because the traffic volume has exceeded the capacity of the two-lane dual carriageway road. There are plans to widen this stretch of New Upper Changi Road, including improvement to its junction with Bedok South Road, to increase its capacity. Construction work is expected to commence early next year.

Making an opening in the central road divider along New Upper Changi Road opposite Apartment Block 24 is not recommended as it will interfere with the free movement of vehicles along New Upper Changi Road. It is also hazardous for vehicles to turn right from New Upper Changi Road into the car park, or to make a U-turn.