LTA Removes Island Kerb After Vehicles Kept on Mounting it While Making U-Turn

Once in a while, there are some design features that make people wonder what on earth the architects and engineers were thinking when they designed it.

For instance, the thick pillars at the front of the Punggol bus stop which prevented commuters from seeing the oncoming vehicles.

Or this weird concrete kerb at the junction of Bedok North Road and Bedok North Street 2.

Image: Google Maps

Seriously, why is it there?

The other side of the road doesn’t have one, so why does this side of the road need it?

Cars Getting Stuck On The Kerb

Reportedly, this specific concrete divider has been causing a lot of grief for motorists who are trying to make U-turns at the junction for many years.

Frankly speaking, it is in an odd place; most curved road dividers usually end before the pedestrian crossing rather than beyond it.

As a result, some motorists find themselves mounting the semi-circle kerb on accident while making a U-turn.

As a matter of fact, TikTok user @wilsonleews88 managed to film one such incident on 15 September 2022, whereby a black car drove over the kerb and ended up in an awkward situation, because one of the car’s rear wheels was pressing up against the kerb.

Image: tiktok.com

Like, do you back up again, or just push forward?

Neither seems to be the right answer.

The fact that this junction sees a fair bit of traffic doesn’t help.

Moreover, with how worn out the edges of the kerb are, you know that it has seen years of accidental abuse.

Image: Google Maps

Kerb Has Been Removed

On Tuesday (18 Oct), East Coast GRC Cheryl Tan announced on Facebook that the Land Transport Authority has (finally) removed the protruding section of the kerb for safety purposes.

In her post, Ms Chan noted that there have been several incidents of vehicles mounting the concrete divider despite the obvious sign markers.

Eh, it’s probably because motorists are just used to making sharp U-turns at the pedestrian crossing, and they might not have seen the protruding kerb while they were driving forward. Then when they were about to make a U-turn, it was already too late for them.

A moment of silence for the wheels and kerb please.

Image: facebook.com

Now that the obstruction is gone, the motorists will have an easier time making U-turns at the junction.

Good riddance.

The road looks much neater too.

It was an unnecessary feature, honestly. 

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Featured Image: TikTok & Facebook