SINGAPORE - Normally a thoroughfare for heavy vehicles heading north, Lim Chu Kang Road is being converted into an aircraft runway for the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) Exercise Torrent this weekend.

This means uprooting the bus stops, lamp posts and traffic lights that line the 2.5km stretch, and deploying equipment like airfield lights and a mobile air traffic control tower.

This is the seventh time that Exercise Torrent has been held since 1986. However, it is the first one that will feature the latest F-15SG fighter jets, which are larger and heavier than the F-16s.

During the exercise, which hones the RSAF's operational readiness and ability to deliver air power from public roads, the RSAF will carry out simultaneous launch and recovery operations from Lim Chu Kang Road and Tengah Air Base.

The five-day exercise started on Thursday (Nov 10) and will end next Monday (Nov 14). Lim Chu Kang Road, which was closed since 8am on Thursday, will reopen after 6pm on Monday.

On Saturday and Sunday, Old Lim Chu Kang Road will be closed as well from 8am to 6pm and 2pm respectively.

Meanwhile, bus service 975 will be rerouted to avoid the bus stops affected by the exercise. The public is advised to keep away from the area during the affected period in the interest of safety.