In 2017, ICA and SLA had jointly announced that an extension of WCP would be built at the Old Woodlands Town Centre (OWTC). A study is currently ongoing to determine the optimal design of this WCP extension to clear heavy goods vehicles and motorcycles. To support this, the Bukit Timah Expressway will be extended and enhanced to channel traffic directly to and from the OWTC extension. The immediate and surrounding local road networks will also be upgraded.
ICA has projected that the traffic volume at WCP will have increased by close to 40% by 2050. This means a daily average of about 400,000 travellers as compared to pre-pandemic levels of about 300,000 travellers in 2019. While COVID-19 had impacted travel, the full reopening of our land borders from 1 April 2022 has seen arrival volumes already returning to more than 90% of the pre-COVID volume during weekends. We expect daily volumes to soon reach pre-COVID levels, and continue to increase thereafter. If the overall clearance capacity is not increased, the travel time for vehicular traffic could increase by more than 60-70% during peak periods by 2050.
Therefore, ICA will extend WCP beyond OWTC to better alleviate traffic congestion and future-proof WCP for the projected increase in traffic volume. The redeveloped and extended WCP aims to:
- Enhance clearance for all types of vehicular traffic, beyond the earlier planned improvements to clearance capacity for cargo vehicles and motorcycles which the extension to OWTC seeks to bring about;
- Incorporate greater automation and flexi-lanes that can be toggled to either clear cars or motorcycles, which would significantly reduce travel time, by as much as four times;
- Provide adequate holding areas for traffic to be contained within the checkpoint, to reduce spillage onto and congestion on the surrounding roads; and
- Conduct security checks in a forward and upfront area, away from the main parts of the checkpoint, to mitigate security risks, and minimise potential damage, to nearby developments should there be vehicular IED incidents.
Acquiring 9 HDB blocks in Marsiling
The redevelopment and extension of WCP will involve the acquisition and return of nine HDB blocks (Blocks 210 to 218 Marsiling Crescent/Lane) comprising 732 sold flats, 53 rental flats, 1 rental kiosk, 6 rental shops and 1 rental eating house. The acquisition and subsequent redevelopment and extension of WCP will be carried out progressively and agencies will work to minimise disruption to residents.
Owners of the sold flats at Blocks 212 to 218 Marsiling Crescent/Lane will be offered the same rehousing benefits as those offered under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS). These include compensation based on the market value of their flat as at the date of the acquisition, and the option to purchase a new flat with a fresh 99-year lease at subsidised prices. To help defray the expenses incurred in the move, HDB will also provide flat owners with a removal allowance, as well as the stamp and legal fees for the purchase of a comparable replacement flat.
HDB will build about 1,100 new replacement flats at Woodlands Street 13, so that residents can continue living in a familiar environment while preserving neighbourly ties. Construction of the replacement flats will commence in 3rd quarter 2023 and is estimated to be completed by 4th quarter 2027.