IMPACT OF SELETAR EXPRESSWAY ON THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC ALONG LENTOR AVENUE

Dr Tan Boon Wan asked the Minister for Communications what has been the impact of the Seletar Expressway on the flow of traffic along Lentor Avenue, and whether his Ministry has further plans to alleviate the pressure of heavy traffic along Lentor Avenue.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: The Seletar Expressway (SLE) has increased traffic volume along Lentor Avenue. This is because it provides motorists with better access to the Yishun New Town. Also, more people have moved into Yishun.

LTA has implemented various traffic management measures to alleviate the heavy traffic condition especially during the evening peak hours. These include widening the junction of Lentor Avenue/Yishun Ave 1, extending the right turning storage lane, and adjusting the traffic signal timings at junctions along the Yishun Ave 2.

LTA is also working with the local grassroots organisation to encourage Yishun residents to use Sembawang Road as an alternative route. Sembawang Road is the other major arterial road to Yishun New Town which is relatively uncongested and has spare road capacity to hold more traffic. It is also easily accessible via SLE.

A new road link between the northern part of Yishun New Town and the SLE has been planned for the longer term.