Rising above the bustling roads is the Tampines Flyover. This flyover is more than just concrete and asphalt. It’s a vital artery in Singapore’s transportation network. It ensures smooth traffic flow for thousands of commuters daily.
The Tampines Flyover is part of the Tampines Expressway or TPE. The TPE is a highway in northeastern Singapore. It links the Pan Island Expressway or PIE near Changi Airport to the Central Expressway or CTE and Seletar Expressway or SLE.
The expressway’s construction went hand in hand with Tampines New Town’s development in the 1980s. Tenders for the first section were announced on February 22, 1986. Work started on August 5, 1986. The project widened existing parts of Tampines Road. The first section of the expressway opened on September 30, 1987. It stretched from the PIE to Elias Road.
Contracts for the expressway’s second phase were awarded on November 19, 1987. Sembawang Construction and Hock Lian Seng Engineering received these contracts. Phase 2 began on December 24, 1987. It stretched westward from Elias Road to Lorong Halus. This phase opened on May 30, 1989.
Extensions westward connected the TPE with the CTE and SLE in the 1990s. These extensions served newer residential areas like Sengkang and Punggol. They provided a continuous expressway link between the northern and eastern parts of the island. Much of Lorong Lumut became part of these extensions.
Construction of the Punggol Flyover began on August 30, 1992. On June 30, 1994, a contract was awarded to Koh Brothers for the Lorong Halus road interchange. The expressway was completed in August 1996. This happened after the Lorong Halus interchange was finished.
Two new viaducts and a loop connecting the TPE and PIE were constructed in 1998. These aimed to reduce travel times between Pasir Ris, Tampines, and Changi Airport.
On February 19, 2023, the Tampines Viaduct opened. This one-way viaduct allows motorists traveling eastbound along TPE. They can directly access the PIE traveling towards Tuas using Exit 2A. Initially, it was to open in early 2020. But a fatal collapse during construction in 2017 resulted in delays.
The Seletar Link Flyover opened on January 22, 2024. This flyover provides an alternative route to and from Seletar Link.
Driving along the Tampines Flyover, you are part of a story. It’s a story of Singapore’s growth, planning, and constant striving for better connectivity. As you pass over this flyover, remember the visionaries and workers. They made this essential part of Singapore possible.