Existed: 2008 – present West end: Keppel (AYE) Length 5 km Major cities Singapore | East end: Tanjong Rhu (KPE, ECP) Regions: Marina Bay, Kallang Constructed 2008 | |
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History: Opened on 29 December 2013 | ||
Marina coastal expressway
The Marina Coastal Expressway (Abbreviation: MCE) is the tenth of Singapore's network of expressways. Construction for the MCE began in 2008 and was completed at the end of 2013. It had its opening ceremony on 28 December 2013 by Senior Minister of State Josephine Teo, together with Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and was officially opened on 29 December 2013.
Contents
- Marina coastal expressway
- Map of MCE Singapore
- Smooth flowing traffic as marina coastal expressway opens 29dec2013
- Route
- Construction
- Criticisms
- References
Map of MCE, Singapore
Smooth flowing traffic as marina coastal expressway opens 29dec2013
Route
The 5-kilometre (3.1-mile) MCE connects with the southern end of the KPE and its junction with the ECP to the eastern end of AYE. This links the eastern and western parts of Singapore to the New Downtown, currently being developed in the Marina Bay area. The MCE, with five lanes in each direction, handles the large number of commuters to be drawn to the offices, homes and recreational attractions there. It opens access to the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore in Marina South and the existing Marina South Pier.
Construction
The expressway comprises a 3.5-kilometre (2.2-mile) underground tunnel, while the rest are at grade or depressed, with a view of the Singapore Strait. The underground tunnel includes a 420-metre (459-yard) stretch that travels under the seabed, 150 metres (164 yards) away from the Marina Barrage. This had posed particular engineering challenges in the tunnel construction as large amounts of water were let out from the barrage from time to time. At its deepest point, the expressway lies about 20 metres (66 ft) under the seabed.
The 5-kilometre (3.1-mile) long MCE is Singapore's most expensive expressway. On 28 April 2009, the Land Transport Authority revealed that it has awarded about S$4.1 billion worth of contracts, much more than the initial estimate of $2.5 billion. The construction of the MCE also required undersea dredging. More than 22 hectares (54 acres) of land was reclaimed to build the MCE. In contrast, the KPE, which is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) and has portions running under canals and rivers, cost only $1.74 billion.
After the MCE was opened, the segment of the ECP between Central Boulevard and Benjamin Sheares Bridge was downgraded to a four-lane arterial road and realigned. The segment of the ECP between the AYE and Central Boulevard will eventually be removed to facilitate the expansion of the city southwards. As the original ECP layout blocks the expansion of the city southwards, the revised layout allows the city to expand towards the New Downtown.
Criticisms
There was reportedly heavier than usual traffic, compared to using the old route via ECP, on 29 December 2013, the first day it opened. The following day, a Monday, a heavy jam occurred, and there were plenty of criticisms by drivers in Singapore of the expressway, due to the jams. Some were reportedly stuck in the jam for one hour. Common reasons cited for the slow traffic included unfamiliarity with how the MCE connects with other roads and expressways.