LINKING OF CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY AND TAMPINES EXPRESSWAY

Mr R. Sinnakaruppan asked the Minister for National Development if his Ministry will consider linking the Central Expressway (CTE) to the Tampines Expressway (TPE) ahead of the proposed schedule.

The Minister of State for National Development (Mr Lim Hng Kiang) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, at present, the Tampines Expressway runs from the PIE/Upper Changi flyover in the east to Lorong Halus in the west. Construction of the last phase of Tampines Expressway, from Lorong Halus to the Seletar Expressway, is in progress. Several flyovers and bridges, as well as short lengths of the expressway's main carriageway, are presently under construction and are expected to be completed by late 1994.

In response to the MP for Kampong Glam's request, the Public Works Department (PWD) will call tenders for the remaining stretches of the expressway later this year. Construction can then be expected to be completed before the end of 1995 ahead of the original schedule. Tampines Expressway will then be linked to the Seletar Expressway. As the Seletar Expressway forms the northward extension of the Central Expressway, motorists can look forward to a continuous link between the Tampines Expressway and the Central Expressway by the end of 1995.