TRAFFIC AT UPPER SERANGOON ROAD

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for Communications whether the traffic situation at Upper Serangoon Road has improved since his last visit when he experienced the traffic jams himself.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: The traffic volume along Upper Serangoon Road is high because it is taking in traffic originating from major towns like Hougang, Toa Payoh and Tampines, and also from two major expressways, namely, Central and Pan-Island Expressways. There are several major arterial and ring roads which criss-cross with Upper Serangoon Road at the Boundary Road/Upper Paya Lebar Road junction, the Braddell Road/Bartley Road junction and the Woodsville interchange. This makes the congestion worse.

LTA has been active in seeking solutions to ease the traffic situation at Upper Serangoon Road. In July 1995, the traffic lights along Upper Serangoon Road were computerised, and average travelling speed during the morning and evening peak hours improved by 20% and 13% respectively. The Government will be spending $85 million in the next four years to convert the Paya Lebar Road/Boundary Road and Braddell/Bartley Road junctions into three to fourtier interchanges. This would increase the carrying capacity of the junctions significantly and smoothen the traffic flow along Upper Serangoon Road.