xq. (2013, December 30). Road changes confuse motorists as MCE
opens. TODAY. Retrieved from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/
SINGAPORE: Despite signs being put up and traffic wardens
hitting the road to give directions, the changes to roads leading
to the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) still befuddled some
motorists, causing brief bottlenecks on Sunday.
MCE, Singapore’s newest highway, opened to traffic on
Sunday.
TODAY observed that motorists seemed to be confused by road work
to downgrade a section of the East Coast Parkway (ECP) at the end
of the Ayer-Rajah Expressway (AYE). Others appeared unsure about
when to keep left to access each of the exits in the underground
MCE.
The 5km, S$4.3 billion MCE joins the ECP, Kallang-Paya Lebar
Expressway (KPE) and AYE.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) acknowledged that traffic was
slow along Central Boulevard and Marina Boulevard “as some
motorists may not be entirely familiar with how to enter the MCE”,
but it said there was “smooth-flowing traffic within the MCE
tunnel” otherwise.
“As with all changes to the road network, motorists may take
some time to be familiar with the changes,” said a
spokesperson.
Some taxi drivers said they chose to take alternative roads
rather than the MCE on Sunday, after hearing reports on the radio
about traffic jams.
Taxi driver Chin C K, 70, who drove a passenger through
Chinatown to get to Resorts World Sentosa, instead of taking the
highway, said: “I’m not familiar with the MCE yet.”
Another cabby, Robert Png, 53, said he took a few wrong turns
when he was driving a tourist to the Gardens by the Bay via the
highway.
“I expect motorists, even us cabbies, will take some time to get
used to the MCE and the new routes, especially since a part of the
ECP will be gone,” he said. “The Marina area is still developing,
with many new, similar-sounding road names like Central Boulevard,
Marina Boulevard and Marina Coastal Drive — it’s difficult to
remember all at one go.”
Another motorist, Ms Selina, 46, was not aware of the opening of
the MCE and took the route by accident to Kallang area.
“Although the signage was clear, it was obvious that other
drivers were unsure of where they had to go exactly, especially at
the exit towards Fort Road — there were quite a few cars weaving in
and out of traffic,” she said.
Despite the opening-day hiccups, some motorists said such
teething problems were understandable for a new expressway. They
also pointed out that the MCE shaves travelling time off some
routes.
For example, Mr Chin said the MCE made for a smoother drive as
compared to the now-closed stretch of the ECP, which he felt had
heavier traffic and more bends. Residents in Sengkang or Hougang
will also be able to reach the city more quickly travelling by the
KPE, then the MCE. “It’s a more direct way for them,” he said.
A taxi driver who took a passenger from Toa Payoh to Resorts
World Sentosa via the MCE said the journey was shorter by about 10
minutes.
Some motorists, however, are already missing the closed stretch
of the ECP — because of the view of the city skyline.
Said Ms Roslynda, 40: “It’s a very scenic drive, during which
you can see the Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay
Sands, but now, all we’ll see is a tunnel. I’ll miss that
view.”