E-Road-ing Culture: A Walk Down Singapore's Interesting Roads

Singapore Expressways -- From The Passenger's Seat ▶▷▶▷▶▷▶▷

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Singapore is blessed with an excellent transportation infrastructure. We've heard much accolades about our efficient public transport system, now it is time our roads get their due credits.

Compared with the unpaved, rugged and streetlights-deprived roads of our regional neighbours, our roads are a driver's dream come true. (Though the same cannot be said about our local drivers and their driving skills) The expressways, in particular, have been instrumental in reducing travelling time and frustration. Their various acronyms have also been emblemed in the minds of every Singaporeans and form part of the unique culture that is Singapore.

We zoom from place to place using these trusty expressways but how often have we actually stopped to admire the sights around them? E-Road-ing Culture brings you these sights... from a passenger's seat.

CTE

Arguably the most heavily used expressway in Singapore, the Central Expressway (CTE) links Singapore's Central Business District (CBD) area in the south to housing estates like Bishan, Ang Mo Kio and Yishun in the north. Attempts at alleviating traffic include the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) scheme, though some say they have been largely futile.

PIE

The Pan Island Expressway (PIE) is the oldest and longest expressway in Singapore. Built in 1966 and stretching a whopping (by local standards) 42.8 kilometres long, it brings road users to important places like Changi Airport, Tuas Industrial Estate and Nanyang Technological University. It also links to many other expressways like AYE, KJE, TPE and CTE.

SLE

Seletar Expressway (SLE) is a relatively short expressway that connects the northern part of the island to other roads like the TPE, CTE and KJE. Despite its short length, it is extremely important in reducing travelling time of road users travelling from Tampines and Pasir Ris in the east, to Yishun and Woodlands in the north.

TPE

One of the newest additions to the 'expressway' family, Tampines Expressway (TPE)has made it much more convenient for Singaporeans to travel to originally far flung places like Sengkang and Punggol. The vast expanse of its roads also make it conducive for speeding, but the authorities have since clamped down on the problem by making stringent patrols and checks.

KJE and BKE

Krangi Expressway (KJE) and Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) are almost synonymous. They link to each other and road users often had to use both expressways to get to their destinations. KJE is the shortest expressway in Singapore at 7 kilometres. The BKE is the second shortest at 10 kilometres. Both bring us to places like Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang and the Singapore Turf Club.

ECP

The East Coast Parkway (ECP) is said to be one of Singapore's most beautiful roads. And little wonder, since tourists to Singapore would usually hit the ECP first, upon arrival at Changi Airport. The beautifully landscaped expressway has trees and colourful shrubs lining its lanes, which are also wide and spacious. At 20 kilometres long, it is built almost entirely on reclaimed land and brings us to places like Marine Parade (itself also built on reclaimed soil) and the city area of Marina Bay.

Other expressways: Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE)
Note: the latter is the newest expressway in Singapore, where constructions are still in progress and expected to be completed in 2008.

By singaporeroads at 7:37 AM