THOMSON CORRIDOR (Measures to improve traffic flow)

Dr Chau Sik Ting asked the Minister for National Development what further steps can be immediately taken to improve the traffic situation along Thomson Road between MacRitchie Reservoir and Moulmein Road which has deteriorated, pending the completion of the Sembawang Expressway.

Mr Lee Yock Suan (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, Thomson Road provides the only access for the northern part of the island to the city. The traffic volume along the northern corridor has been increasing steadily due to HDB's building developments in the north. The ultimate solution to traffic congestion along Thomson Road is the completion of the Sembawang/Central Expressway which will run from Avenue 1 Ang Mo Kio to Thomson Road. Construction is now in progress and the expressway is expected to be completed by the end of 1984.

Pending the completion of the Sembawang/Central Expressway, the PWD has implemented a number of traffic management measures, such as the banning of right-turning movement from Thomson Road into Moulmein Road at their junctions to give more green time for city-bound traffic along Thomson Road. This has increased the city-bound traffic volume during the morning peak hours.

An extra lane is also under construction for Upper Thomson Road in the direction of Lornie Road at the junction of Upper Thomson Road/Thomson Road/Lornie Road. There are also plans to ban right-turning from Lornie Road to Thomson Road at their junctions during the morning peak hours.

The Department will continue to monitor the traffic situation along Thomson Road and, if necessary, adjustments to the green time of the traffic signals will be made.