Road closures and security arrangements around Marina Bay for New Year countdown
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Shea Driscoll
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SINGAPORE - With large crowds expected around Marina Bay during the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2016 on New Year's Eve, the police have announced security and traffic arrangements for the area.
Police officers, auxiliary police officers and security officers will be deployed both for security and for crowd and traffic control. Bags and personal items may be subjected to security checks.
"If you come across any suspicious items or persons, immediately notify the nearest Police officers or Auxiliary Police officers," the police said in a media release on Wednesday evening (Dec 23).
To prevent overcrowding, the number of people entering these areas will be regulated: The Promontory, One Fullerton/Merlion Park, Esplanade Park, Esplanade Waterfront Promenade, Marina Bay Sands Promenade and other areas within the vicinity of Marina Bay. MRT trains may also bypass affected stations to alleviate congestion, it said.
Members of the public will not be allowed to congregate at the footways along the Esplanade Bridge and Bayfront Avenue along Helix Bridge, the police added. The areas will be used for transit only.
Meanwhile, the footway along Benjamin Sheares Bridge will be closed to pedestrians from 6pm on Dec 31 to 1am on Jan 1.
Errant motorists who park at peripheral roads and stop their vehicles along the East Coast Parkway to watch the New Year fireworks - acts which are prohibited - will face enforcement action, the police said. Parked vehicles causing obstructions will be towed.
The festivities will also cause several roads to be closed to all vehicular traffic during specific periods.
Additionally, traffic direction on the carriageway of Temasek Avenue, in the direction of Bayfront Avenue (between Raffles Boulevard and Raffles Avenue), will be reversed from 11.30pm on Dec 31 to 1.30am on Jan 1.
Members of the public can contact the event hotline on 6828-8377 or go to the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2016 website at www.marinabaycountdown.sg for any inquiries, the police said.
