1. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be widening a 1.3km stretch of Upper Paya Lebar Road between Upper Serangoon Road and Bartley Road by an additional lane on each direction of the carriageway to relieve existing peak-hour congestion and meet the anticipated future increase in traffic.

2. This stretch of road, which serves industrial areas in Aljunied, Ubi and Eunos as well as residential areas in the northeast sector, currently experiences heavy congestion during peak hours. With redevelopment and growth in these areas, the traffic along this road is expected to increase by up to 25% by 2020.

3. LTA will be calling a tender for the project in December 2011. The widening works will commence in mid-2012 after the contract is awarded. When the widening is completed in 2014, motorists can expect a smoother traffic flow due to the increased capacity provided by the additional lane. Please refer to the location map in Annex A.

Land Acquisition

4. To facilitate the widening works, the Government will need to acquire some private lands along Upper Paya Lebar Road under the Land Acquisition Act. The acquisition affects the backlane of a row of shophouses, and the frontages, such as open spaces and grass verges, of five properties. The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has gazetted the lands affected by the acquisition today. Landowners who are directly affected will receive the acquisition notices today.

5. SLA and LTA will continue to be in touch with the affected landowners to assist them with their queries and concerns, and to minimise disruption to their operations.