North–South Corridor, Singapore

{{Short description|Future expressway and cycling path in Singapore}}

{{distinguish|North–South MRT line}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}

{{infobox road

| header_type = UC

| country = SGP

| type = E

| route = NSE

| name = North–South Corridor

| translation = {{native name|ms|Koridor Utara-Selatan}}
{{native name|zh|南北交通廊道}}
{{native name|ta|வடக்கு-தெற்கு போக்குவரத்து நெடும்பாதை}}

| map = Expressways and Semi-expressways of Singapore 2012.png

| map_notes = North–South Corridor is labelled in single violet line

| length_km = 21.5

| direction_a = North

| direction_b = South

| terminus_a = Admiralty Road West

| terminus_b = ECP, Republic Avenue and Nicoll Highway

| regions = Woodlands, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Novena, Kallang, Rochor, Downtown Core

| history = Construction began in 2018, viaduct completion in 2027 (estimated), tunnel completion in 2029 (estimated)

| junction = SLE, PIE, ECP

}}

The North–South Corridor (NSC), originally conceptualised as the North–South Expressway (NSE), is an under-construction expressway that will be the 11th of Singapore's network of expressways when completed. The NSC will serve increasing traffic along the north-south corridor that is currently served by the Central Expressway (CTE). The {{convert|21.5|km|mi}} expressway is expected to cost about S$7.47 billion when fully completed in 2029 and will connect the East Coast Parkway (ECP) with the northern parts of Singapore.{{Cite web |title=SPEECH BY MR RAYMOND LIM,MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT, AT VISIT TO KALLANG-PAYA LEBAR EXPRESSWAY, 30 JANUARY 2008, 10.15 AM |url=https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/20080130996.htm |access-date=6 December 2022 |website=www.nas.gov.sg |archive-date=6 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206015908/https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/20080130996.htm |url-status=live }}

The NSC will have a total of 16 entrances and 17 exits to connect towns along the north-south corridor—Woodlands, Sembawang, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, and Toa Payoh—with the city centre. The NSC will also provide links to existing expressways, including the Seletar Expressway (SLE), Pan-Island Expressway (PIE), and East Coast Parkway (ECP).{{cite press release | publisher = Land Transport Authority | date = 15 November 2011 | url = http://app.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=mjtut44y69ma2c6354z6ob21shwo5gewr7tj44yhiqvkx240r0 | title = Full alignment of the North-South Expressway unveiled | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233246/http://app.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=mjtut44y69ma2c6354z6ob21shwo5gewr7tj44yhiqvkx240r0 | archive-date = 30 December 2013 }}

The NSC will be Singapore's first expressway conceived as an "integrated transport corridor", featuring dedicated bus lanes and cycling trunk routes integrated with a traditional expressway. The NSC Expressway (previously conceived as the NSE) consists of an {{Convert|8.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} viaduct in the north running from Admiralty Road West to Lentor Avenue, a {{Convert|0.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} at-grade section at Lentor Avenue, and a {{Convert|12.3|km|mi|abbr=on}} underground tunnel portion that runs until East Coast Parkway.{{cite web |date=15 November 2011 |title=Full Alignment of North-South Expressway Unveiled |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=mjtut44y69ma2c6354z6ob21shwo5gewr7tj44yhiqvkx240r0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305195620/http://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=mjtut44y69ma2c6354z6ob21shwo5gewr7tj44yhiqvkx240r0 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=11 August 2019 |website=Land Transport Authority}}{{Cite press release |title=Joint Release by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) & NParks - Transforming North-South Corridor: Co-Creating Community Spaces for Greener Travel |date=2023-07-29 |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2023/7/news-releases/transforming_north_south_corridor.html |access-date=2023-12-12 |publisher=Land Transport Authority |archive-date=26 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126103902/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2023/7/news-releases/transforming_north_south_corridor.html |url-status=live }} Additionally, the surface streets that run along the underground tunnel of the NSC will see road lanes reprioritised for walking, cycling, public transport and community spaces.{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Adrian |date=2016-01-21 |title=North-South Expressway to have express bus lanes, cycling route; 85% to use public transport as main travel mode by 2050s |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/north-south-expressway-to-have-express-bus-lanes-cycling-route-85-to-use-public |access-date=2023-12-11 |work=The Straits Times |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211171328/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/north-south-expressway-to-have-express-bus-lanes-cycling-route-85-to-use-public |url-status=live }}

According to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the continuous bus lanes along the NSC will be able to reduce bus travelling times from Woodlands, Sembawang, Yishun, and Ang Mo Kio to the city by up to 30 minutes through morning and evening peak express bus services, and also make bus connections between residential towns along the NSC faster by allowing intra-town buses to leverage the ramps and bus lanes on the surface. A cycling path along the entire stretch of the highway will link up the Park Connector Networks and dedicated cycling path networks within HDB towns along the entire corridor to the city centre.{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Adrian |date=28 April 2016 |title=North-South integrated transport corridor expected to be completed around 2026: LTA |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/north-south-integrated-transport-corridor-expected-to-be-completed-around-2026 |url-status=live |access-date=9 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623232205/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/north-south-integrated-transport-corridor-expected-to-be-completed-around-2026 |archive-date=23 June 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=3581a1a2-2d5e-44d8-a3fe-0093e31d9b07|title=LTA to Call Tenders for the North-South Corridor {{!}} Press Room {{!}} Land Transport Authority|website=www.lta.gov.sg|language=en|access-date=9 June 2017|archive-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321145116/https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=3581a1a2-2d5e-44d8-a3fe-0093e31d9b07|url-status=live}}

When first conceptualised in 2011, the NSE was initially targeted to be ready by 2020. In January 2016, the NSE was then reconfigured to instead be part of the NSC, with a new completion date of 2026 set for the NSC.{{Cite press release |title=MOT's Addendum to the President's Address |url=https://www.mot.gov.sg/news/Details/MOT-s-Addendum-to-the-Presidents-Address |date=2016-01-21 |publisher=Ministry of Transport |access-date=12 December 2023 |archive-date=12 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212075927/https://www.mot.gov.sg/news/Details/MOT-s-Addendum-to-the-Presidents-Address |url-status=live }} However, due to significant delays in construction, the deadline has been pushed back multiple times. It is now expected for the viaduct (at the northern terminus of the expressway) to be opened in 2027, and the underground tunnels (at the southern terminus of the expressway) to be opened in 2029.{{Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/road-tunnel-portion-of-north-south-corridor-delayed-by-two-years-to-2029|title=Road tunnel portion of North-South Corridor delayed by two years to 2029|date=3 July 2023|work=The Straits Times|access-date=11 September 2023|language=en|archive-date=29 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729103007/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/road-tunnel-portion-of-north-south-corridor-delayed-by-two-years-to-2029|url-status=live}}

History

= Plans =

On 30 January 2008, the expressway was first announced by then-Minister for Transport Raymond Lim as the North–South Expressway (NSE), as part of a major review of Singapore's transport network by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). It was then expected that the NSE would be completed by 2020, and would reduce travel time to the city for residents in the north by up to 30%

On 19 January 2011, the government gave the go-ahead for the alignment of the northern section consisting of viaducts, surface, and tunnel from Admiralty Road West to Toa Payoh Rise, which is expected to complete in 2020, construction is expected to start in 2013 with the easiest acquisition.{{cite web |date=19 January 2011 |title=Government Gives Go-Ahead for Alignment of Northern Segment of North-South Expressway (NSE) |url=https://www.sla.gov.sg/articles/press-releases/2011/government-gives-go-ahead-for-alignment-of-northern-segment-of-north-south-expressway-nse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211171527/https://www.sla.gov.sg/articles/press-releases/2011/government-gives-go-ahead-for-alignment-of-northern-segment-of-north-south-expressway-nse |archive-date=11 December 2023 |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Singapore Land Authority |url-status=live }} On 15 November 2011, the government gave the go-ahead for the alignment of southern section consisting of the full tunnel to ECP, and the construction was further delayed, to "after the demolition of Rochor Centre" in 2017 and construction is expected to begin in 2018 for completion in 2025, then subsequently delayed to 2026 during the groundbreaking ceremony of North–South Corridor and further delayed to 2028 due to COVID-19 pandemic. Then Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan outlined the ministry's plans to reconfigure the NSE as part of the North–South Corridor (NSC), an integrated transport corridor with one lane out of the three-lane highway to be dedicated for express bus services, as well as to have cycling and pedestrian paths that run along the NSC.{{cite news |date=21 January 2015 |title=North-South Expressway construction will only start in 2016: Lui |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/north-south-expressway/1604912.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402104109/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/north-south-expressway/1604912.html |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=7 March 2015 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia}}{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Adrian |date=2017-04-12 |title=Start of works for North-South Corridor delayed to 2018 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/start-of-works-for-north-south-corridor-delayed-to-2018 |access-date=2023-12-11 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211171327/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/start-of-works-for-north-south-corridor-delayed-to-2018 |url-status=live }}

= Land acquisitions and demolitions =

The North–South Corridor entails the acquisition of Marymount Terrace terraced houses and Rochor Centre in the initial phase.{{cite news |author=Hetty Musfirah |date=15 November 2011 |title=New expressway sparks big land acquisition |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1165553/1/.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116162307/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1165553/1/.html |archive-date=16 November 2011 |access-date=16 November 2011 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia}}{{Cite news |last1=Chia |first1=Rachel |last2=Teo |first2=Dominic |date=2016-03-31 |title=Long-time residents bid goodbye to Rochor Centre: 'Each neighbour is worth a million bucks' |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/long-time-residents-bid-goodbye-to-rochor-centre-each-neighbour-is-worth-a-million-bucks |access-date=2023-12-11 |work=The Straits Times}} Terraced houses were the easiest to move, HDB flats requires the construction of the replacement which is due to the construction delays for North–South Corridor. A total of 567 flats and 187 rental shops and eating houses were vacated by 31 December 2016.{{Cite web |last1=Chia |first1=Rachel |last2=Teo |first2=Dominic |date=31 March 2016 |title=Counting down to the end of Rochor Centre |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/counting-down-to-the-end-of-rochor-centre |access-date=1 April 2016 |website=The Straits Times |archive-date=4 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404031645/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/counting-down-to-the-end-of-rochor-centre |url-status=live }} The four blocks of HDB flats eventually began demolition on 26 June 2018, and was targeted to finish by April 2019.{{Cite news |last=Ng |first=Charmaine |date=2018-06-20 |title=Demolition of Rochor Centre to begin on June 26 in preparation for North-South Corridor: LTA |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/demolition-of-rochor-centre-to-begin-on-june-26-in-preparation-for-north-south-corridor |access-date=2023-12-11 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211115318/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/demolition-of-rochor-centre-to-begin-on-june-26-in-preparation-for-north-south-corridor |url-status=live }}

In August 2016, several units in the Ellison Building which was built in 1924, was considered for partial demolition and reconstruction after the completion of the NSC, despite its previous conservation gazette in 2008 by the URA.{{Cite news |last=Zaccheus |first=Melody |date=2016-08-18 |title=North-South Corridor tunnel works to affect Ellison Building |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tunnel-works-to-affect-heritage-building |access-date=2023-12-12 |archive-date=12 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212071722/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tunnel-works-to-affect-heritage-building |url-status=live }} This sparked concerns from several heritage groups in Singapore including the Singapore Heritage Society and International Council on Monuments and Sites (Singapore), slamming the decision to reconstruct as it would be equivalent to the "falsification of historical artefacts", while also bringing the efficacy of conservation gazettes into question.{{Cite news |last=Zaccheus |first=Melody |date=2016-08-18 |title=Tunnel works to affect heritage building |work=AsiaOne |url=https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/tunnel-works-affect-heritage-building |access-date=2023-12-12}}{{Cite news |last=Zaccheus |first=Melody |date=2016-09-02 |title=Council of heritage practitioners slams decision to demolish and reconstruct historic Ellison Building |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/council-of-heritage-practitioners-slams-decision-to-demolish-and-reconstruct-historic |access-date=2023-12-12}}{{Cite news |last=Zaccheus |first=Melody |date=2016-10-19 |title=LTA and URA reviewing plans to tear down part of historic Ellison Building |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/lta-and-ura-reviewing-plans-to-tear-down-part-of-historic-ellison-building |archive-date=27 October 2022 |access-date=12 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027061155/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/lta-and-ura-reviewing-plans-to-tear-down-part-of-historic-ellison-building |url-status=live }} The URA then came up with a revised plan in February 2018 to instead demolish and reconstruct part of the façade of only one unit, compared to the original plan of demolishing and reconstructing three full units in the building.{{Cite press release |title=Maximising retention of corner unit of Ellison Building affected by the construction of the North-South Corridor |date=2018-02-13 |url=https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Media-Room/Media-Releases/pr18-10 |publisher=Urban Redevelopment Authority |access-date=12 December 2023 |archive-date=12 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212071724/https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Media-Room/Media-Releases/pr18-10 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Zaccheus |first=Melody |date=2018-02-13 |title=A larger part of Ellison Building likely to be saved from demolition and reconstruction |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/a-larger-part-of-ellison-building-to-be-saved-from-demolition-and-reconstruction |access-date=2023-12-11 |archive-date=27 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227005816/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/a-larger-part-of-ellison-building-to-be-saved-from-demolition-and-reconstruction |url-status=live }}

In April 2021, another four-storey building along Thomson Road, comprising 12 residential units and 4 shops, was acquired to make way for construction of the NSC. Unit owners were initially instructed to vacate the premises temporarily for a period of two years until excavation works were completed for safety reasons, but it was found that the building's concrete strength was lower than safely required in order to withstand excavation works for the tunnel beneath the building, and thus was instead chosen to be acquired and demolished.{{Cite news |last=Abdullah |first=Ahmad Zhaki |date=2021-04-16 |title=Government acquires 4-storey Thomson Road building to make way for North-South Corridor constructionAhmad Zhaki Abdullah |work=CNA |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/north-south-corridor-land-acquisition-thomson-road-building-222611 |access-date=2023-12-11 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211172824/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/north-south-corridor-land-acquisition-thomson-road-building-222611 |url-status=live }} This sparked some unhappiness with the unit owners who were looking forward to a collective sale on the open market, since the proceeds were expected to be higher than the compensation that they would have received from the land acquisition.{{Cite news |last=Kok |first=Yufeng |date=2021-04-17 |title=Thomson Road building to be demolished: Owners of residential units stunned |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/thomson-road-building-to-be-demolished-owners-of-residential-units-left-stunned-by-sudden |access-date=2023-12-12}}

= Construction =

File:(SGP-Singapore) North-South Corridor Construction @ Rochor 2024-04-20.jpg in April 2024]]

The first contract for the NSC was awarded in November 2017, which expected the construction for the section of the tunnel between Toa Payoh Rise and Novena Rise to commence in 2018.{{cite web |date=24 November 2017 |title=LTA Awards First Contract for North-South Corridor |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2017/11/2/lta-awards-first-contract-for-north-south-corridor.html |access-date=14 July 2021 |website=Land Transport Authority |archive-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714194825/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2017/11/2/lta-awards-first-contract-for-north-south-corridor.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Christopher |date=24 November 2017 |title=South Korean firm lands first civil contract for new expressway here |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/korean-firm-lands-first-civil-contract-for-new-expressway |access-date=14 July 2021 |website=The Straits Times}} Several other contracts were also awarded for the construction of various sections of the underground tunnel throughout the whole of 2018 to January 2019.{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Adrian |date=2018-12-21 |title=LTA awards six more contracts worth $3.14 billion for construction of North-South Corridor |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/lta-awards-six-more-contracts-worth-314-billion-for-construction-of-north-south |access-date=2023-12-11}}

The contracts for the viaduct portion of the NSC were awarded later, with three contracts awarded in December 2019, with works expecting to begin in early 2020.{{Cite press release |title=LTA Awards $954.1 million in Contracts for the Construction of North-South Corridor Viaduct |date=2019-12-16 |publisher=Land Transport Authority |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2019/12/1/lta_awards_contracts_for_the_construction_of_NSC_viaduct.html |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=15 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715064240/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2019/12/1/lta_awards_contracts_for_the_construction_of_NSC_viaduct.html |url-status=live }}

On 1 July 2023, it was announced that the NSC will be completed in two phases instead, starting with the viaduct segment which would be completed by the previous expected completion date of 2027, followed by the underground tunnel segment which would be delayed by another two years and completed by 2029 instead. Reasons cited for the delay include the COVID-19 pandemic along with challenging soil conditions.{{Cite web |title=Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Impact of Covid-19 Disruptions on Completion Date of North-South Corridor |url=https://www.mot.gov.sg/news/Details/written-reply-to-parliamentary-question-on-impact-of-covid-19-disruptions-on-completion-date-of-north-south-corridor |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=Ministry of Transport |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211110843/https://www.mot.gov.sg/news/Details/written-reply-to-parliamentary-question-on-impact-of-covid-19-disruptions-on-completion-date-of-north-south-corridor |url-status=live }}

On 17 September 2023, an accident occurred resulting in the death of a 41-year-old construction worker at the worksite of Cavenagh Road when a pallet of gas cylinders toppled.{{Cite news |last=Devaraj |first=Samuel |date=2023-09-17 |title=Man dies after accident at North-South Corridor worksite in Cavenagh Road |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/man-dies-after-industrial-accident-at-cavenagh-road |access-date=2023-12-11 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211115319/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/man-dies-after-industrial-accident-at-cavenagh-road |url-status=live }}

= Impact during construction =

In order to support the construction of the North–South Corridor, several roads were temporarily rerouted or diverted during the process:

  • With the demolition of the underpasses around the Novena area, the major traffic junction linking Newton Road, Moulmein Road, and Thomson Road, wax adjusted to make way for the construction of expressway tunnels.{{Cite web |last1=Yong |first1=Clement |last2=Toh |first2=Ting Wei |date=5 October 2020 |title=Changes to major junction in Novena due to expressway works |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/changes-to-major-junction-in-novena-due-to-expressway-works |access-date=5 October 2020 |website=The Straits Times |language=en |archive-date=6 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006061811/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/changes-to-major-junction-in-novena-due-to-expressway-works |url-status=live }}
  • On 30 April 2023, the traffic junction between Marymount Road, Sin Ming Avenue, and Bishan Street 22 was converted into a temporary signalised roundabout to speed up construction of the underground road tunnel beneath the junction. It was reverted back to a cross junction in 2024.{{Cite news |last=Kok |first=Yufeng |date=2023-04-17 |title=Marymount junction to be turned into roundabout to expedite North-South Corridor works |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/marymount-junction-to-be-turned-into-roundabout-to-expedite-north-south-corridor-works |access-date=2023-12-11 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211105521/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/marymount-junction-to-be-turned-into-roundabout-to-expedite-north-south-corridor-works |url-status=live }}
  • Since 8 October 2023, Marymount Flyover has been closed for construction works till 2029.{{Cite news |last=Loi |first=Esther |date=2023-10-04 |title=Marymount Flyover to be shut from Oct 8 for construction of North-South Corridor |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/marymount-flyover-to-shut-from-oct-8-for-construction-of-north-south-corridor |access-date=2023-10-05}}
  • On 18 August 2024, the cross junction between Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 and 6 was similarly converted to a temporary signalised roundabout, which is scheduled to be reverted in July 2025.{{Cite news |last=Loi |first=Esther |date=2024-08-13 |title=Ang Mo Kio junction to be turned into temporary roundabout for North-South Corridor works |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/ang-mo-kio-junction-to-be-turned-into-temporary-roundabout-for-north-south-corridor-works |access-date=2025-04-21}}

During the construction, noise complaints were received by the LTA that construction works did not adhere to requirements to cease after 10 pm and during weekends. In response, the LTA mentioned that there may be exceptions to the stoppage requirement in the case of "safety critical works". In addition, more noise barriers were deployed in the Novena area following the complaint.{{Cite press release |title=More noise barriers installed following resident's feedback |publisher=Land Transport Authority |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2023/6/media-replies/more-noise-barriers-installed-following-resident-s-feedback.html |date=2023-06-07 |access-date=12 December 2023 |archive-date=12 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212071723/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2023/6/media-replies/more-noise-barriers-installed-following-resident-s-feedback.html |url-status=live }}

Route

Based on the plans released by LTA as of the NSE alignment released in November 2011, the route that the {{convert|21.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} NSC expressway will take is as follows:{{Cite web |title=NSErampsrev2-1.ppt |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/data/apps/news/press/2011/NSErampsrev2-1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025214/https://www.lta.gov.sg/data/apps/news/press/2011/NSErampsrev2-1.pdf |archive-date=2018-02-16 |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Land Transport Authority}}

  • Viaduct: {{Convert|8.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} running from Admiralty Road West to Lentor Avenue/SLE
  • The northern terminus of the NSC commences at Admiralty Road West, and runs southwards along Woodlands Avenue 8/Gambas Avenue/Sembawang Road, before joining Lentor Avenue.
  • The portion of the viaduct that runs along Lentor Avenue is also expected to run parallel to the North–South MRT line.
  • At-grade: {{Convert|0.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} intersecting at Lentor Avenue/SLE
  • Three off-ramps are planned, with two off-ramps going north/south-wards along Lentor Avenue, and one off-ramp going westwards towards SLE/BKE.
  • One on-ramp is planned from the SLE traveling westwards to join NSC towards the north.
  • Tunnel: {{Convert|12.3|km|mi|abbr=on}} running from Lentor Avenue/SLE to ECP, Republic Avenue, Nicoll Highway
  • The underground tunnel starts at Lentor Avenue/SLE and runs southwards along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6/Marymount Road, passing Toa Payoh Rise, before joining Thomson Road and Bukit Timah Road running parallel to the Central Expressway, continuing along Ophir Road, before joining ECP, Republic Avenue, and Nicoll Highway at its southern terminus of the NSC.
  • On Marymount Road, the tunnel will be integrated with the MRT station box for the Teck Ghee station on the upcoming Cross Island MRT line.{{Cite web |date=30 January 2019 |title=$615.9 million contract awarded for North-South Corridor, Transport News & Top Stories - the Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/6159-million-contract-awarded-for-north-south-corridor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230014427/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/6159-million-contract-awarded-for-north-south-corridor |archive-date=30 December 2019 |access-date=30 December 2019}}
  • One on-ramp is planned from the PIE traveling eastwards to join NSC towards the south, as well as one off-ramp going northwards to join the PIE traveling westwards.
  • Also, the cycling lane will go from Bugis MRT station to Novena MRT station.

Planned road interchanges

The following are the planned road interchanges announced by the Land Transport Authority and final configuration is subject to change.

{|class="wikitable"

! Location || Destinations{{Cite web |title=Annex A - NSC Viaduct Ramps.pdf |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/upcoming_projects/Road_and_Commuter_Facilities/PDF/Annex%20A%20-%20NSC%20Viaduct%20Ramps.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720124340/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/upcoming_projects/Road_and_Commuter_Facilities/PDF/Annex%20A%20-%20NSC%20Viaduct%20Ramps.pdf |archive-date=2024-07-20 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Land Transport Authority}}{{Cite web |title=Annex B - NSC Tunnel Ramps.pdf |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/upcoming_projects/Road_and_Commuter_Facilities/PDF/Annex%20B%20-%20NSC%20Tunnel%20Ramps.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720124605/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/upcoming_projects/Road_and_Commuter_Facilities/PDF/Annex%20B%20-%20NSC%20Tunnel%20Ramps.pdf |archive-date=2024-07-20 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Land Transport Authority}} || Notes

|-

| rowspan=3|Sembawang/Woodlands

| colspan="2" style="text-align: center" | Start of NSC elevated viaduct section

|-

| Admiralty Road West || Northern terminus; northbound exit to Admiralty Road West (Eastbound) only

|-

| Woodlands Avenue 8 (Northbound) || Northbound exit only

|-

| rowspan=1|Sembawang

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Gambas Avenue (towards Woodlands Avenue 12)

| rowspan="2" style="text-align: left; background-color: #ffdddd"|Northbound exit and southbound entrance only

|-

| rowspan=2|Yishun

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Sembawang Road (Northbound)

|-

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Sembawang Road (Southbound), Yishun Avenue 1 and Mandai Avenue

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Southbound entrance only

|-

| rowspan=6|Yishun/Ang Mo Kio

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|{{SGPexpicon|SLE}} (towards CTE & TPE)

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Southbound exit and northbound entrance only

|-

| colspan="2" style="text-align: center" | End of NSC elevated viaduct section
Start of NSC at-grade section

|-

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Lentor Avenue (Northbound)

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Northbound exit only

|-

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Lentor Avenue (Southbound)

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Southbound exit only

|-

| colspan="2" style="text-align: center" | End of NSC at-grade section
Start of NSC underground tunnel section

|-

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|{{SGPexpicon|SLE}} (towards BKE)

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Northbound exit only

|-

| rowspan=1|Ang Mo Kio

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 (Northbound)

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Northbound entrance only

|-

| rowspan=1|Bishan || Marymount Road ||

|-

| rowspan=1|Toa Payoh

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Thomson Road (Northbound)

| rowspan="2" style="text-align: left; background-color: #ffdddd"|Northbound exit and southbound entrance only

|-

| rowspan=1|Novena

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|{{SGPexpicon|PIE}} (towards Tuas)

|-

| rowspan=2|Novena/Kallang

| Bukit Timah Road || Northbound exit and both bounds entrance only

|-

| Keng Lee Road (towards Kampong Java Road and Bukit Timah Road) || Southbound exit only

|-

| rowspan=1|Rochor

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Ophir Road

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Southbound exit to Ophir Road
Northbound entrance from Rochor Road

|-

| rowspan=4|Downtown Core

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Nicoll Highway (Eastbound)

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Northbound entrance only

|-

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Republic Avenue & Republic Boulevard

| style="background-color: #ffdddd"|Southbound Exit Only

|-

| {{SGPexpicon|ECP}} (towards Changi)
{{SGPexpicon|ECP}} (towards Sheares Avenue)|| Southern terminus

|-

| colspan="2" style="text-align: center" | End of NSC underground tunnel section

{{Jctbtm|col=3|keys=incomplete|conv=no}}

References

{{reflist}}