Seletar Expressway (SLE)



Singapore Infopedia

by Thulaja, Naidu Ratnala

Background

Seletar Expressway (SLE) is one of the nine high-capacity expressways in Singapore. It is 12 km long and built between 1992 and 1998 at a cost of $150 million.1 It connects Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) in Kranji to the junction of Tampines Expressway (TPE) and Central Expressway (CTE) in Yio Chu Kang.2 Its completion links up the existing expressways in Singapore.

History
The decision to build a stretch of road to link Woodlands in the north to the Central Expressway in Yio Chu Kang was made in the 1980s.3 The Seletar Expressway was to be a four-lane dual carriage way that was completed in two phases.4

In the first phase, the road between Yio Chu Kang Road and Upper Thomson Road was laid. Built at a cost of S$76 million, this five-kilometre expressway provided a direct link for the residents of Yishun to the city. The expressway was officially opened by Lee Boon Yang, the Senior Minister of State (National Development and Home Affairs), on 24 March 1990. Motorists began using the road from 4:30 pm onwards that day.5

The second phase of the SLE, from Upper Thomson Road to the Bukit Timah Expressway, makes for another important link as it connects Yishun New Town and Woodlands New Town.6 Construction of this seven-kilometre road began in 1992 and was completed in 1998.7

This road was built in five different stages with six contracts awarded by the Public Works Department for various jobs in road laying.8 The first stage, which began in July 1992, involved the construction of an interchange at the junction of SLE and BKE at the cost of S$15.5 million.9 Construction of this interchange was completed in 1994.10 Subsequently, the second stage of construction involved the laying of a two kilometre stretch of road from the interchange to Woodlands Ave 2. Built at a cost of S$30.5 million, this portion of SLE was opened to motorists on 5 December 1995. It provided a speedy link for residents of Woodlands housing estate to the BKE.11 The third stage of construction, completed in July 1996 at a cost of S$7.6 million, connects Woodlands Ave 2 to Lorong Gambas.12 In the fourth stage, the road was extended at a cost of S$15.3 million. The contract for the construction of this stage was awarded to Wee Poh Construction Company and the job was completed in May 1997.13

The final phase of construction involved the linking of the SLE built in the first and second phases at Upper Thomson Road. This stretch of the SLE, built at a cost of S$68 million, was officially opened on 22 February 1998 when the guest of honour, John Chen, Minister of State (Communications), flagged off 30 eager motorists at Upper Thomson Road. The construction of the last link also signified the completion of a network joining all the existing expressways in Singapore.14

Description
The SLE begins on the BKE at the Woodlands South Flyover (Exit 11). It joins Woodlands Ave 2 at the Marsiling Flyover (Exit 10), Woodlands Ave 12 at the Ulu Sembawang flyover (Exit 9), Mandai Road (Exit 8A) or Mandai Ave (Exit 8B), Upper Thomson Road at the Upper Thomson flyover (Exit 5), Lentor Ave at the Lentor flyover (Exit 3), TPE (PIE Changi) at the Seletar flyover (Exit 1B) or Yio Chu Kang Road (Exit 1A), and terminates where it meets the CTE at the Yio Chu Kang flyover.15

The SLE is a scenic stretch of road with greenery on either side. The Upper Seletar Reservoir is situated along a large stretch of land at the junction of SLE and Mandai Road. Along the expressway, significant constructions have arisen, including housing units at Woodlands New Town and the Nee Soon Camp.16



Author

Naidu Ratnala Thulaja



References
1. Seletar Expressway opens direct link with city for Yishun residents. (1990, March 25). The Straits Times, p. 18; Lee, C. C. (1998, February 21). Opening of Seletar Expressway. The Straits Times, p. 37. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
2. Land Transport Authority. (2013, August 27). Seletar Expressway. Retrieved on 2016, May 16 from the LTA website: http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltaweb/en/roads-and-motoring/projects/seletar-expressway-sle.html
3. When work will start. (1983, March 17). The Straits Times, p. 12; Expressway extension (1985, September 2). The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
4. New Seletar Expressway will be opened to traffic today. (1990, March 24). The Straits Times, p. 21. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
5. New Seletar Expressway will be opened to traffic today. (1990, March 24). The Straits Times, p. 21. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
6. Seletar Expressway opens direct link with city for Yishun residents. (1990, March 25). The Straits Times, p. 18; Seletar Expressway contract awarded. (1995, June 8). The Straits Times, p. 38. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
7. Lee, H. G. (1992, May 4). Work on second phase of SLE to begin this year. The Straits Times, p. 28; Final $68m stretch of SLE ready. (1998, February 23). The Straits Times, p. 26. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
8. $15.5m contract for SLE  (1992, October 27). The Straits Times, p. 25. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
9. Progress of Seletar Expressway (1992, July 28). The Business Times, p. 2; $15.5m contract for SLE. (1992, October 27). The Straits Times, p. 25. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
10. Work on SLE/BKE interchange begins. (1992, July 29). The Straits Times, p. 20. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
11. Quick Connection. (1995, December 6). The Straits Times, p. 1; Final $68m stretch of SLE ready. (1998, February 23). The Straits Times, p. 26. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
12. Quick Connection. (1995, December 6). The Straits Times, p. 1; Seletar Expressway contract awarded. (1995, June 8). The Straits Times, p. 38. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
13. Seletar Expressway contract awarded. (1995, June 8). The Straits Times, p. 38. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
14. Final $68m stretch of SLE ready. (1998, February 23). The Straits Times, p. 26. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
15. Land Transport Authority. (2013, August 27). Seletar Expressway. Retrieved on 2016, May 16 from Singapore Street Directory: http://www.streetdirectory.com/sg/seletar/50387_1.html
16. Lee, C. C. (1998, February 21). Opening of Seletar Expressway. The Straits Times, p. 37. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.



The information in this article is valid as at 2016 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

 

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