Latest news with #WoodlandsCheckpoint
Independent Singapore
4 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Singapore to acquire 2 Malaysian-owned land parcels as long-term solution to congestion at Woodlands Checkpoint
Photo: Wikipedia screengrab/By Seasurfer at - Own work; transferred from by Shizhao using CommonsHelper., CC BY-SA 2.0, SINGAPORE: Singapore will be acquiring two land parcels owned by the Malaysian Government as a long-term solution to the chronic congestion at Woodlands Checkpoint (WCP). The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) officially gazetted the acquisition of two vegetated and unused land parcels, covering about 0.79 hectares in total, on Wednesday (Jun 4). In a joint press release, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the SLA stated that they will work closely with the Malaysian Government throughout the acquisition process, affirming , 'We will continue our strong partnership with the Malaysian Government to strengthen connectivity and people-to-people links.' The WCP expansion will be done in phases over the next 10 to 15 years, it added. The first phase of construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025 (Q3 2025). ICA will build an extension at Old Woodlands Town Centre, including new automated clearance facilities for cargo vehicles, arriving cars, and motorcycles. The Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) will also be extended to ease traffic on local roads during peak hours. Subsequent phases will include additional clearance facilities and retrofitting the existing WCP. When complete, WCP aims to reduce peak wait times for vehicles from 60 to 15 minutes, increase automation by adding more automated in-car immigration clearance systems, enhance security checks by conducting them away from the main checkpoint structure, and alleviate congestion around the checkpoint by providing holding areas for traffic within the checkpoint. Last year, daily traveller volume at WCP rose 22% to 327,000 from 269,000 in 2023. In Dec 20, the checkpoint saw a record high of 376,000 travellers in a single day during the year-end school holidays. By 2050, the average daily number of travellers is expected to reach 400,000. /TISG Read also: SMRT fined S$3M for September's train disruption; funds to help low-income families
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Amir Hamzah to follow up with Singapore's takeover of Woodlands land for checkpoint expansion, says Fahmi
PUTRAJAYA, June 5 — Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan has been tasked with taking further action following the announcement by Singaporean authorities regarding the acquisition of two plots of land owned by the Malaysian government in Woodlands. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the matter was discussed during today's Cabinet meeting following media reports yesterday about the actions of the republic's authorities. 'The Cabinet discussed this issue, and the Finance Minister II has been assigned to undertake several follow-up actions,' he said at a weekly press conference here today. Yesterday, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) announced plans to acquire two plots of land owned by the Malaysian government for the redevelopment and expansion of the Woodlands Checkpoint (WCP). In a joint statement, the SLA and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said the two plots, with a total area of about 0.79 hectares, are located near the central area of the redevelopment site and will be acquired by the Singapore government. According to the statement, both plots are overgrown and unused. The SLA and ICA said they will work closely with the Malaysian government throughout the acquisition process. In another development, Fahmi said the issue of drone mobility is being followed up by the Transport Ministry (MoT) to formulate clearer policies and guidelines on their use. He said the matter was raised by Transport Minister Anthony Loke during today's Cabinet meeting. 'Time is needed for MoT to review the amended policies and provide updates, particularly regarding the use of drones within certain limits and other aspects,' he said. Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, speaking at the 6th Series of the Malaysia Madani Scholars' Forum, said the government would review policies on low-altitude airspace usage and drone mobility during the Cabinet meeting (today). Anwar said drone operations are currently limited to rural areas but acknowledged the need for further study on the matter. — Bernama
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Chronic jam fix coming? Singapore to upgrade Woodlands Checkpoint from Q3 2025 after buying land from Malaysia
SINGAPORE, June 4 — The Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore will undergo a major redevelopment starting in the third quarter of 2025, with the aim of cutting the current chronic congestion at the land crossing with northern neighbour Johor. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) announced this in a joint statement today. The project is estimated to take between 10 and 15 years to complete. Phase one will be the checkpoint at the Old Woodlands Town Centre. 'This extension will comprise new automated clearance facilities for cargo vehicles, arriving cars, and arriving motorcycles,' ICA and SLA said in their statement. There are also plans to extend the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) to create a direct exit route from the checkpoint to reduce traffic congestion on local roads, especially during peak hours. According to Singapore newspaper The Straits Times, the number of daily travellers at the checkpoint rose 22 per cent in 2024 to 327,000, up from 269,000 in 2023. On December 20, 2024, a record 376,000 travellers crossed the checkpoint during the year-end holidays. By 2050, daily traveller numbers are expected to reach 400,000. To make way for the redevelopment, Singapore will acquire two parcels of land totalling 0.79 hectares from Malaysia. These land parcels are currently unused and covered with vegetation. They are located near the centre of the redevelopment site. Singapore wrote to Malaysia in May 2022 and November 2023 to propose the purchase and SLA officially gazetted the acquisition today. 'SLA and ICA will work closely with the Malaysian Government through the acquisition process,' the authorities said. Future phases of the project will include building more clearance facilities and upgrading the existing checkpoint. Once finished, the new checkpoint will cut peak period travel time from one hour to just 15 minutes. It will also use more automation to improve efficiency and security. There will be holding areas for vehicles within the checkpoint to ease congestion on the BKE and nearby roads.
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Singapore to acquire Malaysia-owned land for Woodlands checkpoint expansion
Singapore authorities said the expansion of the Woodlands checkpoint will help reduce the average travel time from the current 60 minutes to 15 during peak periods. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Singapore will be acquiring two plots of Malaysia-owned land as part of the republic's efforts to redevelop and expand the Woodlands checkpoint. In a joint statement, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Land Authority said the acquisition, which was gazetted today, was aimed at enhancing connectivity and facilitating cross-border movement. They said the expansion of the Woodlands checkpoint would help reduce the average travel time from the current 60 minutes to 15 during peak periods. It would also incorporate more automation, such as automated in-car immigration clearance systems, to increase efficiency, they said. MORE TO COME
CNA
6 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Singapore to acquire two Malaysian-owned land plots for Woodlands Checkpoint expansion
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) gazetted the acquisition of two land parcels on Wednesday (Jun 4) for the redevelopment and expansion of Woodlands Checkpoint. The land parcels are currently owned by the Malaysian government. In a joint press release, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and SLA said that they will work closely with the Malaysian government through the acquisition process. "We will continue our strong partnership with the Malaysian government to strengthen connectivity and people-to-people links," the Singapore authorities said. The two land parcels have a total area of 0.79ha and are located near the middle of the redevelopment profile. The acquisition of land is part of ICA's plan on redeveloping and extending Woodlands Checkpoint in phases over the next 10 to 15 years to "provide a long-term solution to the chronic congestion at this land crossing", said the joint press release. In 2024, the daily volume of travellers at Woodlands Checkpoint rose by 22 per cent, increasing to 327,000 from 269,000 in 2023. During the year-end school holidays in 2024, a record 376,000 travellers passed through the checkpoint on Dec 20 2024. By 2050, the average daily number of travellers at Woodlands Checkpoint is projected to reach 400,000. In 2024, ICA said that Singapore had written to Malaysia in May 2022 and in November 2023 to propose the purchase of the land. CONSTRUCTION PROCESS Under Phase 1 of the construction process, ICA will build an extension of Woodlands Checkpoint at the Old Woodlands Town Centre. Construction works are anticipated to start in the third quarter of 2025. This extension will include new automated clearance facilities for cargo vehicles and arriving vehicles. The Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) will also be extended to create a direct route for vehicles exiting Woodlands Checkpoint to access the expressway, reducing traffic congestion on local roads during peak hours. Subsequent phases will comprise building additional clearance facilities and retrofitting the existing checkpoint. The full redevelopment of Woodlands Checkpoint aims to improve clearance efficiency across all modes of transportation, reduce average travel time during peak periods to 15 minutes and increase automation by incorporating systems for automated in-car immigration clearance. ICA will also be able to conduct security checks away from the main checkpoint structure and provide holding areas for vehicles within the checkpoint to alleviate congestion on the BKE and surrounding roads.
