TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG NICOLL HIGHWAY

[Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair]

Dr Koh Lam Son asked the Minister for National Development whether any study has been made on the traffic flow along Nicoll Highway following the completion of Marina Centre and East Coast Expressway and whether there is a need to convert the 'time-controlled' carriageway into a normal dual carriageway.

The Minister of State for National Development (Dr Lee Boon Yang)(for the Minister for National Development): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister. The PWD regularly monitors traffic conditions along Nicoll Highway.

Immediately after the opening of the East Coast Parkway in 1981, there was considerable reduction in Nicoll Highway traffic because of the decanting of cross-town traffic to the East Coast Parkway. However, traffic volumes have been increasing over the last six years.

Following the opening of the roads in Marina Centre, the PWD had re-timed the reversible-lane arrangement to optimize the use of the available traffic lanes along Nicoll Highway. There are no immediate plans to remove the reversible-lane system along Nicoll Highway and convert the road to a normal dual-carriageway road as the present arrangement is working satisfactorily.