The first phase of the Woodlands Checkpoint expansion is to be completed by 2032, and the work will not disrupt operations at the checkpoint.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has unveiled plans to expand the Woodlands Checkpoint, transforming it into a mammoth facility five times its current size. Set to commence in 2025, the first phase will see extensions at the Old Woodlands Town Centre and Bukit Timah Expressway, with a progressive completion targeted from 2028.
The Old Woodlands Checkpoint will eventually be demolished and integrated with the new extension, which is slated to be fully operational by 2032.
This mega project will unfold in several phases over the next 10 to 15 years, with land reclamation spearheaded by JTC Corporation. Rest assured, the expansion won’t disrupt the checkpoint’s operations.
After conducting thorough feasibility and technical studies, ICA realized the land needs for this redevelopment could only be met through land acquisition and land reclamation. JTC is on board to start reclamation work in the third quarter of 2024, estimated to be completed by 2029.
An environmental impact assessment has been conducted, ensuring the project aligns with environmental care and sustainability.
This redevelopment is timely as traveller volume at Woodlands Checkpoint is back to pre-COVID-19 levels, averaging about 300,000 daily, and is projected to hit 400,000 by 2050. The revamped checkpoint aims to slash average clearance time from 60 minutes to a mere 15 minutes during peak times, for all vehicle types.
The new checkpoint will boast automated in-car immigration clearance systems and dedicated vehicle holding areas to ease congestion. Security checks will be conducted away from the main checkpoint to enhance security measures.
The first phase will see the construction of 21 cargo lanes and 78 arrival car lanes at the Old Woodlands Town Centre extension, significantly boosting cargo and car clearance capacities. These lanes can also be converted to accommodate motorcycles, offering flexibility during peak traffic.
A direct route to the Bukit Timah Expressway will be created for vehicles exiting the checkpoint, alongside upgrades to the surrounding road networks to improve overall traffic flow. Efforts will also be made to minimize environmental impact and noise pollution.
Subsequent phases will focus on building clearance facilities on both acquired and reclaimed land and retrofitting the current Woodlands Checkpoint. These plans are still in the design study phase, with more details to be announced upon completion.
In line with the redevelopment, nine Housing Board blocks in Marsiling will be acquired, with residents offered new flats in Woodlands Street 13.
This move, expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2027, is part of a larger plan to enhance the connectivity and efficiency of the Woodlands Checkpoint, paving the way for smoother travels and a brighter future for cross-border relations.
Photo Credits: ICA, The Straits Times
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