(Not reached within Question Time) TOA PAYOH NEW TOWN ROAD SYSTEM

Mr Eric Cheong Yuen Chee asked the Minister for National Development if he will request the Public Works Department to review the road system in Toa Payoh with a view to relieving traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours along Lorongs 1, 2 and 6 which are frequently used as thoroughfare by motorists for going in and coming out of the estate.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: The PWD has been monitoring closely the traffic conditions in Toa Payoh New Town. The road system there has been designed to fully meet the traffic demands of its residents. However, there has been peak hour traffic congestion along Toa Payoh Lorongs 1, 2 and 6. This is caused by extraneous traffic from Tampines, Serangoon Gardens, Seletar and Ang Mo Kio passing through Toa Payoh New Town to go to and from the city.

Such through traffic will be reduced significantly when the Sembawang Expressway from Ang Mo Kio New Town to Jalan Toa Payoh presently under construction is completed in January 1983. The Expressway will enable motorists from the north-eastern sector of the island going to and from the city to bypass Toa Payoh.

The further extension of the Sembawang Expressway to join the Central Expressway at Thomson/Norfolk Roads in 1984 will reduce further the through traffic going into Toa Payoh.