Temporary flyover to ease traffic on roads affected by MRT Downtown Extension construction
A temporary two-lane viaduct will be built along Cross Street linking Raffles Quay and Far East Square.
The Land Transport Authority says this is to help minimise traffic disruption in the area during the construction of the MRT Downtown Extension.
Work on the 400 metre flyover will start next year for completion in 2008.
Building the viaduct is seen the best option available.
It will enable lane-for-lane replacement along roads affected by the Downtown Extension project, and even ease traffic flow.
"During construction of Downtown Extension, we will have to end up taking some of the lanes of the road and the provision of the viaduct will actually give us an opportunity to maintain the number of lanes of the road going down Cross Street and Upper Cross Street. The intention is to maintain the number of lanes, so it shouldn't get any worse. But with the viaduct, because it takes traffic across junctions, we hope it would actually improve the situation," said Marcus L Karakasian, Director, Downtown Extension, LTA.
The flyover will bypass four traffic junctions at Telok Ayer Market, Cecil Street, Robinson Road and Raffles Quay, which means motorists will be able to clear the distance within half a minute.
It will be taken down in 2012 when the Downtown Extension project is completed.
The Downtown Extension, comprising five stations, will be connected to the Circle Line.
Its construction will tie in with the upcoming Marina Bay Financial Centre, due for completion in 2010.