S’pore’s Only Right-Turn Expressway Exit at PIE Will Finally Disappear After 28 May

For the drivers among us, turning left to exit an expressway in Singapore probably comes as second nature to most of us.

Except for when you’re exiting the expressway via Exit 26A.

As drivers would know, Exit 26A along the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) is the only expressway exit located on the right side of the expressway in Singapore.

However, it seems like that won’t be the case for long, for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) recently announced that PIE’s Exit 26A would soon be converted into an exit along the left side of PIE.

In a post uploaded to Facebook yesterday (14 May), LTA informed members of the public that Exit 26A would be shifted to the left side of PIE later this month.

This change will take effect on 28 May this year, so do keep that in mind if you’re intending to drive past Exit 26A after that date.

“Apart from this, there is no other change for motorists who are heading towards Dunearn Road / Clementi Road or Upper Bukit Timah Road after they exit,” LTA reassured.

The authority revealed through a news release that the new exit will allow drivers to pass through the Rifle Range underpass, which is located under the PIE.

This will result in an easier exit from the PIE.

“There is no change in travelling direction after exiting,” LTA clarified.

LTA also added that it would be putting up signs to “inform and guide motorists” about the changes made to Exit 26A.

Realignment of Hua Guan Avenue to Make it a Standard Dual One-Lane Road

Apart from that, LTA revealed in its Facebook post that the old PIE Exit 26A on the right of the expressway will be removed after 28 May.

The existing Hua Guan Avenue will be realigned and progressively reinstated into a standard dual one-lane road.

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Work Was Carried Out in Various Stages

Beyond the announcement of the new exit, LTA also shared how the new Exit 26A was constructed.

In particular, LTA said in its news release that “works were carried out in phases with diversions undertaken to minimise disruptions to the traffic on PIE and ensure [the] safety of motorists and workers”.

Several engineering challenges, such as “having to contend with a unique terrain with shallow rock outcrops and working within a narrow working corridor beside a ‘live’ expressway”, arose along the way.

As such, LTA took the appropriate actions to deal with the difficulties.

These actions included controlled rock blasting to remove the granite rock outcrop from the area and careful planning to implement mitigation measures for the “live expressway” situation.

“This phase had been carefully calibrated due to the proximity of the site to residential developments and the PIE,” LTA noted.

The manpower crunch brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic was also another challenge that LTA had to deal with.

Nonetheless, it seems like the new exit will still open as expected, and LTA even uploaded a Behind-The-Scenes video to give members of the public a sneak peek of the new exit.