Road through Serangoon Gardens

A close reading of the Land Use Plan recently released by MND shows that a straight road is planned between Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 / Boundary Road and Ang Mo Kio Ave 3.

This potentially has major implications for the Serangoon Gardens landed estate. Currently, there is no such straight road connecting AMK Ave 1 / Boundary Rd to AMK Ave 3. On the contrary, commuters must turn left at Serangoon Garden Way, and then into the landed estate through Tavistock Ave before heading out onto AMK Ave 3.

A proposal to align a straight road towards the Serangoon Gardens Circus would necessarily mean that properties currently west of Lorong Chuan will be affected (most likely through compulsory acquisition). Kensington Park Rd will also need to be extended upwards, cutting through the current land occupied by the Lycee Francias de Singapour. The planners' intentions are clear - such a straight road north will help filter traffic towards the new Seletar Aerospace Park, easing traffic along the CTE. In fact, work has already begun two streets up north to align Seletar Rd and Jalan Kayu into Seletar Aerospace Park.

Regardless whether measures as extreme as compulsory acquisition will be taken, such a project means residents at Serangoon Gardens will have to bear with some noise and construction. But judging by the sheer amount of infrastructural projects across the island in the coming years, they can find comfort in knowing that they are not alone in their inconvenience. Until the Master Plan 2013 is published, it is unlikely that any work will start since the various agencies will rely on the MP13 for the exact alignment and its implications.