Woodlands Checkpoint Expansion: 9 Blocks in Marsiling to be Acquired

(Photo Credit: ICA)

The Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) announced on Thursday their plans for further expansion of the Woodlands Checkpoint, this time making strides into the Marsiling Crescent/Lane area.

In 2017, the ICA announced expansion into the Old Woodlands Town Centre. This latest development is a response to a predicted increase in traffic volume of up to 40 percent by 2050. Currently, the volume of traffic at the land checkpoint is at about 90 percent of what it was pre-pandemic and this figure is expected to return to usual levels of about 300,000 daily travellers in the near future.

The fear is that failure to cater to this rise in traffic volume can lead to bottleneck issues in the future causing lengthy delays and jams.

On top of providing relief to congestion woes, ICA deputy commissioner Hsu Sin Yun cites lowering average checkpoint clearance time as another main aim behind the expansion. Travellers are looking at peak period clearance times of about 15 minutes, down from 60 minutes pre-pandemic. ICA also aims to reduce the overall travel time through the land checkpoint four-fold through the incorporation of better automation facilities and flexi-lanes that can be adapted to serve motorcycle or car travellers.

The expansion is expected to be completed in about 10 to 15 years.

Affected Areas

The plans will involve HDB blocks 210 to 218, consisting of 785 sold and rental flats with six rental shops, a rental eating house, and a rental kiosk amongst the property affected. Residents are expected to move out by the second quarter of 2028.

To help affected flat owners, HDB will be offering them Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers) benefits which entails compensation based on their flat’s market value, together with the option to buy a new, 99-year lease flat.

(Photo Credit: Zhenkang) 

In conjunction, the HDB will be establishing a new precinct in Woodlands Street 13 that will see about 1,100 replacement flats being built consisting of 5 residential 23 to 24 storey flats. It is situated 2km away from Marsiling Crescent and is only a 10-minute walk away from Marsiling MRT station. There will also be various recreational facilities for its future residents to enjoy such as fitness corners and a playground. Those with young children will be pleased to hear that there will also be a childcare centre provided.

The start of construction is around the third quarter of 2023 and they are expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Additionally, there will also be an extension of the Bukit Timah Expressway, providing traffic a path directly into the Old Woodlands Town Centre extension.

If you're planning a trip across the causeway soon, it certainly pays to be prepared! Get yourself informed on traffic conditions to and from Malaysia by checking out the checkpoint function on our Motorist App! 

It offers real-time traffic camera feeds and will let you know of any traffic situations to take note of such as road accidents and potential fuel checks along with an estimation of how long it will take to clear the checkpoint. This will allow you to plan your trip better and help ensure a fuss-free journey!

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