SINGAPORE: The Woodlands Checkpoint will be redeveloped and extended over the next 10 to 15 years, with the first phase of construction works set to begin in the third quarter of 2025.
This will serve as a long-term solution to the chronic congestion at the land crossing, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) said in a joint statement on June 4.
The first phase of redevelopment will involve extending the Woodlands Checkpoint at the Old Woodlands Town Centre.
To facilitate the redevelopment project, the Government will acquire two separate small land parcels totalling about 0.79ha and owned by the Malaysian government.
Singapore had previously written to Malaysia in May 2022 and November 2023 to propose the purchase.
The land parcels, which are located near the middle of the redevelopment profile, are vegetated and not in use, the statement said, adding that the SLA has gazetted the acquisition of the land parcels on June 4.
“SLA and ICA will work closely with the Malaysian Government through the acquisition process,” it added.
“This extension will comprise new automated clearance facilities for cargo vehicles, arriving cars, and arriving motorcycles,” the statement said.
The Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) will also be extended to create a direct route for vehicles exiting the checkpoint to access the expressway, so as to reduce traffic congestion on local roads during peak hours, it added.
Daily traveller volume at the Woodlands Checkpoint increased by 22 per cent to 327,000 in 2024 from 269,000 in 2023.
A record 376,000 travellers crossed the checkpoint on Dec 20, 2024, amid the year-end school holidays.
By 2050, the average daily number of travellers passing through the checkpoint is projected to reach 400,000.
Subsequent phases of the project will include the building of additional clearance facilities and retrofitting the existing checkpoint.
Once completed, the redeveloped checkpoint will allow ICA to improve clearance efficiency across all transport modes and reduce the average travel time from the current one hour to 15 minutes during peak periods.
Additionally, the authority will also be able to incorporate more automation to increase efficiency, conduct security checks away from the checkpoint’s core structure to mitigate security risks, and provide holding areas for traffic within the checkpoint to reduce congestion on the BKE and along the peripheral roads.
“The redeveloped Woodlands Checkpoint will enhance the immigration clearance experience for travellers crossing the Causeway,” the statement said.
“ICA will continue to leverage technology and develop innovative solutions to facilitate cross-border travel and trade, while keeping our borders secure.” - The Straits Times/ANN
