New underpass links KPE to Nicoll Highway

New underpass links KPE to Nicoll Highway

A new vehicular underpass connecting motorists seamlessly from the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) to Nicoll Highway will open on April 2.

This is expected to ease the traffic congestion experienced at the KPE's Nicoll Highway exit, where motorists often find themselves caught at the Sims Way traffic lights soon after leaving the underground highway.

Announcing the opening date of the two-lane, 300m underpass, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said yesterday that motorists can also use it to connect to Stadium Drive from the KPE.

Those coming from Sims Way can also use the underpass to head to Nicoll Highway or Stadium Drive. From April 2, the right-turn from Sims Way to Nicoll Highway at the traffic junction will be removed.

The underpass cost $45 million to build, and construction started in 2012. Although it was completed last December, the opening of the underpass was held back to find a suitable window to minimise disruption to motorists.

The LTA said last month it was working closely with stakeholders in the area, such as the Singapore Sports Hub, to find a suitable date.

When the new underpass opens, the existing access along Nicoll Highway (city-bound) to Stadium Drive will be permanently closed.

Motorists travelling from Guillemard Road will use Stadium Boulevard via Mountbatten Road to access Stadium Drive and then to Singapore Sports Hub, the LTA added.

The LTA has advised motorists to "plan their routes in advance and follow the traffic signs on site".

It has also produced a series of videos on the different routes that can be taken, which can be found at www.youtube.com/LTA singapore.

Mr Warren Wu, 35, a marketing and communications manager, hopes the new underpass will ease congestion at the KPE's Nicoll Highway exit during peak hours.

"The traffic can be slow moving, with a long tailback. Many a time, I would bite the bullet and take the East Coast Parkway exit instead and pay the ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) charge," Mr Wu said.

Motorists can access the new road from 6am on April 2.

adrianl@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on Mar 15, 2017.
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