Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE)

[Porker]

The network of roads here is jammed from morning rush hour till now.

 

Courtesy of your friendly traffic watchdog :p

 

I will post pics later if I'm not lazy LOL

[Othello]

Rochor exit to ECP open or closed?

[inlinesix]

The network of roads here is jammed from morning rush hour till now.

 

Courtesy of your friendly traffic watchdog :p

 

I will post pics later if I'm not lazy LOL

 

The traffic from AYE to MCE is smooth now.

 

On central boulevard jam since morning.

[Bystander50]

To me it looks like the MCE purpose is to channel some traffic to the under-used KPE.

 

I drive KPE on most mornings to work and sometimes home, west - east.

 

Seems to me that KPE is under-utilised and traffic is light.

 

Looking at the bigger picture, it's a greater conspiracy to jam up the KPE.

Had not been pumper's lost of PE in the BE, the ERPs along KPE would have been turned on.

 

When the ECP/KPE/MCE jams up, ERP gantries will turn on and existing ones will charge higher prices.

 

So drivers are paying for somwone's mistakes or grand plans.

[Wishcumstrue]

if that is the case, inter-agency cooperation and compromise is prob minimal.

 

I don't think so. The MCE route was planned long ago with the obvious obj to maximise land usage within the MBFC district.

 

Motorist will need time to adj to this new routing and plus to fact driving to CBD isn't really encourage from the way the ERP pricing is heading.

 

I have driven this new stretch a few times in both directions and it become obvious most of the exits are similar to current designs in KPE.

 

Complains here are more for folks who freq CBD - and these are due to the current traffic layout outside of MCE.

I guess the LTA will fine tune the traffic control at these location.

 

AFAIC, if you are not making a detour along MCE, it is THE most silky-smooth 5 km asphalt I ever driven on.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Wishcumstrue

[Bonjoey]

Anyone got a brilliant route for west siders to get to Rochor or Bugis from AYE?

Best route (shortest) will now be AYE-CTE-MERCHANT RD EXIT-EU TONG SEN-HILL ST- HIGH ST-ALONG PADANG - RAFFLES/SUNTEC/MARINA/BUGIS

[Darthrevan]

 

Motorists fume over slow traffic along newly-opened Marina Coastal Expressway

Traffic on the newly-opened Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) might have been fairly smooth on Sunday when it opened to the public, but it was a different story on Monday.

Travel was slow on several segments of the MCE and surrounding roads. Some motorists said they were stuck on the $4.3 billion expressway for nearly an hour, while some commuters were fuming over having to pay higher than usual taxi fares because they were stuck in jams linked to the expressway.

Common reasons cited for the slow traffic included unfamiliarity with how the MCE connects with other roads and expressways, as well as road signs that were not clear enough.

Some motorists noted that even though there were traffic wardens deployed to help direct people, this only slowed traffic more as motorists stopped to ask for directions.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/motorists-fume-over-slow-traffic-along-newly-opened-marina-coastal-exp

MCE opening: Avoid using the expressway if you are heading east during the evening peak

The newly-opened Marina Coastal Expressway's acronym may well stand for "Messy Confusing Expressway".

On the first work day since the $4.3 billion undersea highway opened on Sunday, motorists found themselves caught in traffic snarls of a scale uncommon in Singapore.

Tweets and Facebook posts flew fast and furious, with one taxi commuter complaining that she had to fork out $60 in fare because of the jam - for a journey that usually cost her $16.

When The Straits Times checked during lunch time Monday, traffic flow was smooth in the north-south stretch, where the MCE joins the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway.

But there were obvious problem areas where it joined the East Coast Parkway (ECP) and Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE).

Motorists on the ECP heading for the AYE have to negotiate a sharp left to enter the MCE. This caused many to apply their brakes or slow down, causing a minor queue to form there.

Traffic signs at the entrance may have contributed to the problem. A sign above one lane read "MCE to AYE", while the another in the adjacent lane read "MCE to Central Boulevard". This caused more weaving and braking.

Eastbound, traffic slowed to a trickle at the Fort Road exit. Most of the vehicles in the MCE in this section seem headed for the exit, which has only two lanes (out of the total five).

One lane leads directly to Fort Road, which had a queue stretching all the way into the tunnel. The other lane leads to Changi. Clearly inadequate in coping with the noon-time traffic volume, the exit caused a jam that spread to two other lanes of the MCE leading to the KPE.

Motorists heading for the ECP via the MCE after work this evening should brace themselves for a repeat of Monday morning's saga. They may want to find alternatives (such as the Pan-Island Expressway), or travel later.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/mce-opening-avoid-using-the-expressway-if-you-are-heading-east-during-

[Beanoyip]

MASSIVE CONGESTED EXPRESSWAY... i think this would suit it better.

[ChickenMob]

MASSIVE CONGESTED EXPRESSWAY... i think this would suit it better.

To me after listening to my friends , should be the MOST COCK-UP EXPRESSWAY.

damn my kid starting school soon, tonite midnight got to drive up and do a refresher course.

[Bystander50]

 

If anyone here knows any of the bigger shots in the LTA, please ask them to read this thread because it carries views from the normal drivers and not those from the Ch 5 news report which seemed to be edited. I said seemed, never say "confirmed edited".

 

And for the LTA bigger shots reading this (lower ranks no need because I know your views will likely get suppressed somehow when it is communicated upwards), please consider this in your next phase of fixing the faults. And make it quick.

 

1. signboards in the MCE are not sufficient and placed early enough esp when the expressway splits eg a) going west: ECP splits into MCE and old ECP and b) going east: MCE splits into ECP and KPE

 

2. Going east from MCE to ECP are allocated only 2 out of the 5 lanes with the other 3 going to the KPE. Have you considered this correctly? Just think. Residents of Bedok (prob largest HDB estate in Sg), East Coast, Simei and Tampines and not forgetting those traveling to the airport will likely use the ECP in their eastward journey from AYE. On the other hand, the KPE will serve residents of Buangkok, Pungol, Hougang (think there is likely a few smaller estates I am not familiar with). Think not of the number of residents living in those areas. Rather, think of the number of car owning residents living in those areas. Please check your planning data again. Is the proposed lane allocation (2 for ECP and 3 for KPE) correct? If it is not, please make hurried changes.

 

This is not a question about face saving. This is savings in dollars. This is savings for your 2016 because rightly or wrongly, it will be used as a political tool.

 

 

Currently ECP towards Airport after Fort Road has about 4-5 lanes.

During the evening peak hour, all lanes are jammed up with traffic from AYE.

I'm rather surprised that when the re-divert the traffic via MCE, they only allocate 2 lanes for traffic to join ECP. Doesn't take much common sense to tell the tunnels will surely be jammed up. When reaching the surface, the 2 lanes will merge into a single lane. How not to jam or slow down traffic? The opposite should have been signed. 2 lanes exiting, but spreading up to 3 or 4 lanes.

 

Look at the Nicoll Highway exit at KPE during the morning peak, It jams up 1 whole lane.

 

Ultimately, the only solution to solve the eastward jam -> ERP will be extended to 11pm to even out the traffic flow.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Bystander50

[Kxbc]

 

I don't think so. The MCE route was planned long ago with the obvious obj to maximise land usage within the MBFC district.

 

Motorist will need time to adj to this new routing and plus to fact driving to CBD isn't really encourage from the way the ERP pricing is heading.

 

I have driven this new stretch a few times in both directions and it become obvious most of the exits are similar to current designs in KPE.

 

Complains here are more for folks who freq CBD - and these are due to the current traffic layout outside of MCE.

I guess the LTA will fine tune the traffic control at these location.

 

AFAIC, if you are not making a detour along MCE, it is THE most silky-smooth 5 km asphalt I ever driven on.

agree with you that MCE is generally ok except that i still think the proportion of lances alloted to ECP and KPE are reveresed.

 

but if the plan is to develop MBFC area, like it or not, the exits/entrances to MBFC have to be adequate and that is not the case currently.

 

CBD and MBFC areas will continue to be the central hub for financial services (at least in my life time) and there is no way there will be less cars moving along that corridor, even with all the MRT lines there.

 

If the MCE exits/entrances are planned with less cars going into CBD/MBFC in mind, that is just pure foolishness or day dream on the part of the authorities. Of course the ones in power can stop cars from going in easily. Just raise ERP to $50 per entry 24 x 7. Remove all the parking spaces. But will they do that without any backlash? Creating traffic jams intentionally have repercussions in the form of lost efficiencies, frustration, diminished global standing etc. Whether MIW or opposition, they will be stupid to use this to force people from driving to public transport.

[Darthrevan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnTZkpfrw5g

 

watch from 45 seconds onwards..Josephine Teo and MIW cronies having a joyride in traffic free road conditions

 

Edited December 30, 2013 by Darthrevan

[Cr4shnBurN]

hopefully after a week or 2 will be better sia. if not jialat jialat liao

[Speed_ong]

I think all this will get worst. The road planners in LTA should be fired!

[inlinesix]

 

Currently ECP towards Airport after Fort Road has about 4-5 lanes.

During the evening peak hour, all lanes are jammed up with traffic from AYE.

I'm rather surprised that when the re-divert the traffic via MCE, they only allocate 2 lanes for traffic to join ECP. Doesn't take much common sense to tell the tunnels will surely be jammed up. When reaching the surface, the 2 lanes will merge into a single lane. How not to jam or slow down traffic? The opposite should have been signed. 2 lanes exiting, but spreading up to 3 or 4 lanes.

 

Look at the Nicoll Highway exit at KPE during the morning peak, It jams up 1 whole lane.

 

Ultimately, the only solution to solve the eastward jam -> ERP will be extended to 11pm to even out the traffic flow.

 

For Nicoll Highway entrance into KPE, i think it is caused by driver. From Sims Way, there is another entrance. The only reason die die must enter via Nicoll Highway is to get into PIE east bound.

[TVT]

 

This guy just bring enough for cab fare?

 

He believes walking is faster than waiting for the jam to clear....

[Kb27]

no use....MRT will also break down...

once everybody take MRT , MRT will also jam. Then they will tell you inorder to buy more trains increase frequency so that every min there is a train.

 

But you gonna pay for the new trains........if not pay for ERP your choice.

 

Did I remember someone says, you can always wait for the next train....and the next..and the next, I guess

Edited December 30, 2013 by Kb27

[TVT]

 

this morning i used it to get to Keppel viaduct from CTE/PIE coming from the north....soon soon leh.

 

You mean 3am in the morning, after your KTV session?