Clementi Rd Exit in PIE Changing from Right to Left for $32.7 Million

By
George Yang
-
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If you’re a driver, you’ll know that all exits in Singapore’s expressways are on the left.

That’s also where you filter and merge into the expressway.

But there’s one exit that’s different: Exit 26A on PIE. If that doesn’t ring a bell, this would: the exit on PIE (towards Tuas) that leads to Jalan Anak Bukit, or more prominently, towards Ngee Ann Poly or SIM on Clementi Road.

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The Exit That’s On the Right

Unlike all other exits in Singapore expressways, the Clementi Road Exit is on the right. However, on the direction towards Changi Airport in PIE, the Clementi Road Exit is on the usual left.

Here, take a look:

Image: Google Maps

It might seem innocuous, but any driver would know that the exit not only poses inconvenience, but is a minefield for accidents, too.

Firstly, heavy vehicles and buses that always have to stay on the left lane would need to move to the first lane (the lane on the right) to use that exit, causing the “fast lane” to slow down. Cars would have to filter to the left to overtake (known as “undertaking”), and that’s dangerous because overtaking should always be taken on a fast lane, and not an inner and slower lane.

Secondly, drivers who are not familiar with the exit might think it’s on the left, only to see it on the right. They might panic and just change three lanes within a second, causing an accident.

Which is why LTA has decided to make the change.

Move Prompted by Review of Road Network and Feedback

According to The Straits Times, the move was initiated after regular review of the road network and feedback from road users.

In fact, if LTA has asked me, I would have given that suggestion as well, for there are often many students (i.e. new drivers) driving to Ngee Ann Poly / SIM, and they might miss the exit – or worse, change three lanes dangerously.

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Works Have Already Started

The project has apparently started, and it’ll cost $32.7 million. Undertaken by Megastone Holdings, works have begun since the second quarter of this year and would be ready by the fourth quarter of 2021.

The exit would be an underpass and would exit to the same road.

According to an LTA spokesperson, “The new underpass replacing the existing Exit 26A will enable vehicles to turn off the PIE from the slower left lane, alleviating the slowdown in traffic along the PIE caused by vehicles filtering right to the current Exit 26A.”

Well, 2021 is still far from now. After all, in next year, air taxis would be on trial, so for all you know, we might no longer need roads by then #justsaying

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George Yang
Email: [email protected]