Singapore’s Woodlands Checkpoint is to be redeveloped and extended over the next 10-15 years, with the first phase of construction works set to begin in the third quarter of 2025, reports The Straits Times.
This will serve as a long-term solution to the Johor-Singapore border’s chronic congestion. The world’s busiest international land border crossing saw a record 376,000 travellers on December 20, 2024, and this is projected to rise to 400,000 a day on average by 2050.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) said in a joint statement today that the first redevelopment phase will involve extending the Woodlands Checkpoint at the Old Woodlands Town Centre.
To make this happen, Singapore will acquire two separate small land parcels owned by the Malaysian government, totalling about 0.79 hectares. The island nation had previously written to Malaysia in May 2022 and November 2023 to propose the purchase, reports ST.
Located near the middle of the redevelopment profile, the land parcels are vegetated and not in use, and SLA and ICA will work closely with the Malaysian government through the acquisition process, the statement said.
“This extension will comprise new automated clearance facilities for cargo vehicles, arriving cars, and arriving motorcycles,” the statement said, adding that the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) will also be extended to create a direct route for vehicles exiting the checkpoint to access the expressway, reducing peak-hour congestion.
Once completed, the redeveloped checkpoint is expected to cut the average travel time from the current one hour to 15 minutes during peak periods. Besides improving clearance efficiency, more automation can be incorporated, security checks can be conducted away from the checkpoint’s core structure to mitigate security risks, and traffic holding areas can be provided within the checkpoint to further reduce congestion.
On a related note, Malaysia is set to fully enforce the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) for Singapore-registered vehicles entering Malaysia by land beginning July 1.
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Purchase? Why leasing to Singapore is not an option? Or better yet, could have been a 50-50 venture between 2 govt to reduce congestion.
The land is situated in Woodlands Singapore, not in Johor Baru, so a 50-50 working arrangement won’t make sense but leasing makes a whole lot of sense.
PH Gomen slowly selling off Malaysia. Soon us rakyat will be 2nd class citizen in our former homeland called Malaysia.
Forgot Najib selling the KTM land? Najib was the head of PH government, once upon a time.
Because only one of the governments is working to reduce congestion proactively. Guess which one.
Need to replace Tambak Johor with Jambatan Bengkok.
Will ease land & water congestions as well as water pollution.
Wonder how much it was sold or what decision was made to sold to …