Didn’t fireflies once dance near here? Welcome to the Api Api Flyover. This flyover isn’t just concrete and steel. It carries a name steeped in local history.
The Api Api Flyover gets its name from the nearby Sungei Api Api. Sungei Api Api means fire river in Malay. The river was named for the Api Api mangrove trees. These trees attract fireflies. Api Api trees are mostly Avicennia alba. They thrive along the riverbanks.
The Tampines Expressway or TPE features the Api Api Flyover. The TPE links Singapore’s northeastern areas. It joins the PIE in the east with the CTE and SLE in the north.
The TPE’s construction occurred alongside Tampines New Town’s development in the 1980s. Tenders for the first section were requested in 1986. Construction began to widen Tampines Road. The first section opened in 1987 connecting the PIE to Elias Road.
Contracts for the TPE’s second phase were awarded later that year. Phase 2 stretched from Elias Road to Lorong Halus. It began construction in December 1987 and opened in May 1989.
Extensions westward connected the TPE with the CTE and SLE in the 1990s. This served newer residential areas. It provided a continuous link between the northern and eastern parts of the island. The expressway was completed in August 1996 after the Lorong Halus interchange was completed.
In 2008, the TPE linked to the KPE near Lorong Halus. This new underground expressway opened after six years of construction.
Today eleven flyovers dot the TPE. They include the Upper Changi Flyover linked to PIE. Also included are Loyang Flyover and Pasir Ris Flyover. We are standing at the Api Api Flyover. Other flyovers are Tampines Flyover linked to KPE Punggol East Flyover and Punggol Flyover.
The Api Api Flyover is more than just a structure. It is a connection point and a reminder of Singapore’s natural history.