North–South Corridor, Singapore

The North–South Corridor (NSC), originally conceptualised as the North-South Expressway, is an under-construction expressway that will be the 11th of Singapore's network of expressways when completed. The North South Corridor will serve increasing traffic along the north-south corridor that is currently served by the Central Expressway (CTE). The 21 kilometres (13 mi) expressway will cost about S$7–8 billion when fully completed in 2029 as North-South Corridor and will connect the East Coast Parkway (ECP) with the northern parts of Singapore.[1]

North–South Corridor
Koridor Utara-Selatan (Malay)
南北交通廊道 (Chinese)
வடக்கு-தெற்கு போக்குவரத்து நெடும்பாதை (Tamil)
North–South Expressway is labelled in single violet line
Route information
Length21.5 km (13.4 mi)
HistoryConstruction began in 2018, viaduct completion in 2027, tunnel completion in 2029
Major junctions
North endAdmiralty Road West
Major intersectionsSLE, PIE, CTE, ECP
South endECP, Republic Avenue and Nicoll Highway
Location
CountrySingapore
Highway system

The NSC will have a total of 16 entrances and 17 exits to connect towns along the north-south corridor—Woodlands, Sembawang, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Bishan and Toa Payoh—with the city centre. The NSC will also provide links to existing expressways, including the Seletar Expressway (SLE), Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) and East Coast Parkway (ECP).[2]

According to the Land Transport Authority, the continuous bus lanes along the NSC will be able to reduce bus travelling times from Woodlands, Sembawang, Yishun and Ang Mo Kio to the city by up to 30 minutes through morning and evening peak express bus services, and also make bus connections between residential towns along the NSC faster by allowing intra-town buses to leverage the ramps and bus lanes on the surface. A cycling path along the entire stretch of the highway will link up the Park Connector Networks and dedicated cycling path networks within HDB towns along the entire corridor to the city centre.[3][4]

The North-South Corridor was initially targeted to be ready by 2023. However, due to significant delays in construction, the deadline has been pushed back multiple times. It is now expected for the viaduct from Admiralty Road West to Lentor Avenue to be opened in 2027, and the tunnels from Lentor Avenue to East Coast Parkway to be opened in 2029.[5]

History

The expressway was first announced as the North South Expressway on 30 January 2008 as part of a major review of Singapore's transport network by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).[1]

On 19 January 2011, the government gave the green light to build the expressway between Admiralty Road West and Toa Payoh Rise.[6] On 15 November 2011, LTA unveiled the full alignment of the North-South Corridor.[7] The land was acquired earlier so that the owners will be given sufficient time to move house, with construction initially planned to begin in 2017 with an expected completion date of 2023. The corridor became an integrated transport corridor in 2016, with the land being cleared for the construction of North-South Corridor, works are ready to start in 2018 and complete by 2026.[7][8][9][10][11]

On 2 October 2020, it was announced that the major traffic junction at Novena linking Newton Road, Moulmein Road and Thomson Road, will be adjusted to make way for the construction of expressway tunnels.[12]

Route

In the final plan, the NSC will commence at Admiralty Road West in northern Singapore and proceed southwards along Woodlands Avenue 8, Gambas Avenue, Sembawang Road. It will join Lentor Ave and intersect the Seletar Expressway. On Marymount Road, the expressway tunnel is being built together with the station box for Teck Ghee station on the upcoming Cross Island MRT line.[13] Major bus stops will be equipped with lift lobbies at Lentor Avenue, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 and Marymount Road. It will also pass through the two military training areas - Lentor and Seletar East, both of which will be cleared by 2017. It will pass Toa Payoh Rise, join Thomson Road and Bukit Timah Road running parallel to the Central Expressway. The NSC will continue along Ophir Road, joining the East Coast Parkway at its southern terminus. In addition, there will be new bus lanes and cycling lanes.

Some land had to be acquired by the government for the project. The Land Transport Authority tried to utilize state land as far as possible, reducing the number of private properties which had to be acquired. Despite much of the expressway running underground at its southern end, some land had to be taken because of existing Mass Rapid Transit tunnels, and also because the expressway had to be straight to maintain traffic speeds. One of the prominent landmarks that had to make way for the project is the Rochor Centre. Novena Square underpasses will also be demolished, and the former Ellison Building may be considered for demolition.[14]

From 8 October 2023 to 2029, Marymount Flyover will be temporarily closed for construction works for the North-South Corridor.[15]

References
  1. "SPEECH BY MR RAYMOND LIM,MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT, AT VISIT TO KALLANG-PAYA LEBAR EXPRESSWAY, 30 JANUARY 2008, 10.15 AM". www.nas.gov.sg. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  2. "Full alignment of the North-South Expressway unveiled" (Press release). Land Transport Authority. 15 November 2011. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013.
  3. hermesauto (28 April 2016). "North-South integrated transport corridor expected to be completed around 2026: LTA". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  4. "LTA to Call Tenders for the North-South Corridor | Press Room | Land Transport Authority". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 21 March 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  5. "Road tunnel portion of North-South Corridor delayed by two years to 2029". The Straits Times. 3 July 2023. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  6. "Government Gives Go-Ahead for Alignment of Northern Segment of North-South Expressway (NSE)". LTA. 19 January 2011. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  7. "Full Alignment of North-South Expressway Unveiled". Land Transport Authority. 15 November 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  8. "North-South Expressway construction will only start in 2016: Lui". Channel NewsAsia. 21 January 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  9. "LTA Awards First Contract for North-South Corridor". Land Transport Authority. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  10. Tan, Christopher (24 November 2017). "South Korean firm lands first civil contract for new expressway here". The Straits Times. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  11. "LTA Awards $954.1 million in Contracts for the Construction of North-South Corridor Viaduct". Land Transport Authority. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  12. hermes (5 October 2020). "Changes to major junction in Novena due to expressway works". The Straits Times. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  13. "$615.9 million contract awarded for North-South Corridor, Transport News & Top Stories - the Straits Times". 30 January 2019. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  14. Hetty Musfirah (15 November 2011). "New expressway sparks big land acquisition". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 16 November 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  15. Loi, Esther (4 October 2023). "Marymount Flyover to be shut from Oct 8 for construction of North-South Corridor". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 5 October 2023.

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