AYER RAJAH ROAD/CLEMENTI ROAD/PASIR PANJANG ROAD/COMMONWEALTH AVENUE WEST (Progress of road works)

Encik Abbas Abu Amin asked the Minister for National Development (a) if he will report on the progress of the road works that run concurrently at (i) Ayer Rajah Road, (ii) Clementi Road, (iii) Pasir Panjang Road and (iv) Commonwealth Avenue West; and (b) whether pedestrian overhead bridges will be built and safety measures taken to minimize accidents along these new expressways.

The Minister of State for National Development (Dr Lee Boon Yang) (for the Minister for National Development): Sir, I am replying on behalf of my Minister.

Sir, the PWD is upgrading Ayer Rajah Road and Upper Ayer Rajah Road to form part of the Ayer Rajah Expressway. Ayer Rajah Road extends from Alexandra Road to Clementi Road. The PWD expects to complete this stretch of road by the end of 1987. The upgrading of the stretch of Upper Ayer Road from Clementi Road to Jurong Town Hall Road will be completed by the first quarter of 1988.

Sir, the widening of Clementi Road from Ayer Rajah Road to West Coast Highway is about 60% completed. The project is scheduled to be completed by September 1987.

The widening of Pasir Panjang Road was completed on 11th March 1987.

The widening of Commonwealth Avenue West between Jalan Lempeng and Jurong East Street 11 started on the 16th February 1987 and will be completed by November 1987.

Of the four roads mentioned, only Ayer Rajah Road will be upgraded to an expressway. The others are major arterial roads. The following safety measures have been taken to minimize accidents along this expressway:

(1) Provision of 13 pedestrian overhead bridges and an underpass for pedestrian safety.

(2) Installation of vehicular impact guardrails along the sides of the expressway to prevent vehicles from running off the expressway; and

(3) Provision of prominent lane markings and adequate directional road signs to guide motorists.