[CNA] More ERP gantries on AYE by mid-2014
To further ease traffic
congestion, the Ayer Rajah Expressway will have four more ERP
gantries come mid-2014.
Three new gantries towards the
city between Jurong Town Hall Road and Clementi Road will be
operational during the morning and evening peak hours on
weekdays.
The first gantry will be
located just before Clementi Avenue 6 exit, while the other two
gantries will be located at the slip roads into AYE from Clementi
Avenue 6 and Clementi Avenue 2.
The fourth gantry located just
before the Clementi Road exit towards Tuas (between North Buona
Vista and Clementi Road) will be operational only during the
weekday evening peak hours.
The Land Transport Authority
said over the past one and a half years, traffic speeds at both
locations have dipped, going as low as 35 kilometres per
hour.
This is below the optimal
speed range of 45 to 65 kilometres per hour for
expressways.
Traffic conditions along the
corridor are also expected to worsen when traffic demand goes up
with future developments such as the Jurong Gateway.
Construction of the ERP
gantries will start in the later part of this year.
LTA said it will announce the
operating hours and charges closer to the implementation of the
gantries.
LTA said motorists who wish to
avoid paying the ERP charges can make use of alternative routes
including the West Coast Highway and Commonwealth Avenue-Tiong
Bahru Road corridor.
Public transport alternatives
in the west will also be ramped up for motorist who wants to make
the switch.
From the third quarter of
2013, commuters in Jurong West will have a City Direct bus service
during peak hours.
LTA is also looking at having
a similar service from Clementi.
- CNA/fa
