The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be making road and traffic flow adjustments to address the issues that have cropped up since the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) was opened last Sunday, the LTA said on Monday night.
The changes, which the authority said is expected to ease congestion, are:
The immediate conversion of a short stretch of Central Boulevard from two lanes to four lanes, to enable better traffic into and along Central Boulevard towards Shenton Way;
Posting of more temporary signs at key approaches to alert motorists of road network changes and the best way to get to their destination. Traffic wardens will also continue to be deployed to help direct motorists.
The LTA said that it has been closely monitoring traffic conditions in the MCE tunnel and adjoining road network, and that while conditions have "generally been smooth flowing, there has been congestion and tailbacks at certain locations as motorists adjust to the new expressway and road network configuration".
"For example, some west-bound motorists on the ECP did not enter the MCE directly from the ECP near Fort Road, but instead proceeded along Sheares Bridge into the city area before heading out to the MCE, thereby adding to the traffic in the city," said the LTA spokesman. "There has also been congestion along some key roads at the Marina South area as many motorists chose to enter the Central Business District (CDB) using the MCE exits that lead to Central Boulevard."
LTA has also issued an advisory for motorists to take note of when using the MCE:
1. Westbound motorists travelling from ECP to AYE: Westbound motorists travelling from ECP should join MCE at Exit 14B near Fort Road to get to AYE, instead of using Sheares Avenue to exit at Marina Boulevard to re-enter MCE and connect to AYE.
2. Westbound motorists travelling from ECP to CBD: Westbound motorists heading towards Shenton Way or Anson Road area can use MCE Exit 1 to Maxwell Road instead of using Exit 3 to Central Boulevard.
3. Eastbound motorists travelling from AYE to ECP: Eastbound motorists heading towards ECP should continue their journey on MCE instead of using Exit 2 to Central Boulevard.
4. Eastbound motorists travelling from AYE to CBD: Eastbound motorists heading towards the Shenton Way or the CBD area from AYE can exit AYE at Exit 2B and use Keppel Road/Anson Road. Alternatively, they can use CTE, and use Exit 2 to Merchant Road.
5. Westbound motorists travelling from Ophir Road to AYE: Westbound motorists heading towards AYE should use other arterial roads or CTE to connect with AYE, instead of using Ophir Road Interchange.
6. Eastbound motorists travelling from CBD to ECP: Eastbound motorists from the CBD/Marina South area heading towards ECP are encouraged to use Sheares Avenue to access the ECP.
