PIE AT JALAN TOA PAYOH/JURONG (Traffic congestion)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for National Development what is the cause of the traffic congestion at Jalan Toa Payoh along the Pan Island Expressway towards Jurong during the morning peak hours and what steps are being taken to improve the situation.

Dr Lee Boon Yang (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, Jalan Toa Payoh is the most heavily used section of the Pan Island Expressway. Traffic volume along this section of the expressway towards Jurong is very high during the morning peak hours (about 6,940 vehicles per hour). Traffic congestion at this location is aggravated by the presence of a bus stop near the Toa Payoh Flyover. Resiting the bus stop or providing a proper bus-bay is being considered. This can only be done after the drainage works along Sungei Whampoa in the vicinity are completed in 1989.

Jalan Toa Payoh was originally an arterial road upgraded to expressway standards. There are many constraints in its design and capacity. The feasibility of widening the stretch of the Pan Island Expressway from the Pelton Canal (just before the Aljunied Flyover) to the PIE/BKE interchange is being studied.

Sir, to further minimize traffic congestion on expressways, the PWD is also considering the feasibility of a surveillance and signalling system for expressways. This system will forewarn motorists of traffic conditions along expressways so that motorists could avoid areas of congestion.

[Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair]

11.30 am