AYER RAJAH ROAD BETWEEN CLEMENTI ROAD AND GILLMAN CIRCUS (Improvement to traffic flow)

Encik Abbas Abu Amin asked the Minister for National Development what steps are being taken to improve the flow of traffic, especially during the peak hours, along Ayer Rajah Road between Clementi Road and Giliman Circus.

Mr Lee Yock Suan (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, a few years ago when Ayer Rajah Road and Upper Ayer Rajah Road were the only roads serving Jurong, motorists used to experience prolonged congestion. With the completion of the Pan Island Expressway, Commonwealth Avenue West and the West Coast Highway, providing three additional high capacity roads to Jurong, traffic movements along Ayer Rajah Road have improved considerably.

Recent traffic counts conducted by the PWD indicate that peak-hour volumes along Ayer Rajah Road are within the capacity of the road, even though some peak period congestions are observed at Gillman Circus. To solve this problem, the PWD intends to signalize Gillman Circus. Work will start at the beginning of next year to be completed by the end of the year.

The PWD has observed that the traffic volumes at the intersection of Ayer Rajah Road and Clementi Road are within the capacity of the intersection. Therefore, no immediate improvements are necessary. However, the PWD will continue to monitor the traffic condition along Ayer Rajah Road. If necessary, further improvements will be carried out.