SINGAPORE — The speed limit for the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) will be set at 80kmh, announced the Land Transport Authority (LTA) today (Dec 11). In line with the limit for MCE, Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) will also be adjusted from 70kmh to 80kmh. The new speed limits will apply from Dec 29 onwards, when the MCE opens.

The KPE’s speed limit was originally set at set at 70kmh when it opened in 2008 due to the tight bends along the expressway and motorists lacking familiarity with driving in a long tunnel environment.

With the speed limit of the KPE tunnel increased, LTA says it will implement additional safety measures along the tight bends, including reflective strips on tunnel walls and broader lane markings.

However, the 70kmh speed limit will be retained near the Upper Paya Lebar Road (North bound) exit and the Airport Road (South bound) entrance due to a tighter bend affecting both carriageways. LTA says signs and speed limit markings will be painted on the road surface to remind motorists to observe the lower speed limit of 70kmh along this bend.

As part of the preparation for the MCE opening, LTA, together with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) conducted a joint emergency exercise this morning to test the operational readiness of the various public agencies during an emergency that takes place in the tunnel.

With the opening of the MCE, motorists will be able to connect from the KPE tunnel to the MCE tunnel. Motorists can expect to drive for more than 12km in a tunnel environment when they use both the MCE and KPE.

LTA would like to remind motorists to exercise caution and obey the traffic signs within and outside of the tunnels. Motorists should also adhere to safe driving practices, such as turning on their headlights and radio, when they enter the tunnel. The traffic conditions within the road tunnels are monitored on a 24-hour basis at the LTA Operations Control Centre (OCC). In the event of an emergency, emergency services will be deployed to the site to assist.

During an emergemcy, a ventilation system will push the smoke downstream out of the tunnel and increase the tunnel lighting level to facilitate recovery operations when activated from the OCC, says the LTA. They will also broadcast tunnel closure messages advising motorists to avoid the area through various channels such as LTA traffic news, Twitter and on EMAS signs.

In case of an emergency, motorists can dial 995 for SCDF’s assistance, or tune in to the local radio channels to listen to the LTA emergency announcements and instructions. The LTA also says that motorists should not proceed further or reverse their vehicle if red crosses are lit on the overhead lane use signs. Motorists are advised to stay calm, to turn off their vehicle engines and leave their vehicle for the nearest escape staircase or cross passage doors to evacuate the tunnel instead.