Old checkpoint to re-open this Dec

The old Woodlands Checkpoint, which had been abandoned in 1999 when the new one came up, will re-open from December with more lanes and booths for trucks and motorcycles. With the current economic crisis, many who goes into Malaysia for petrol, groceries & short break getaway is sure to welcome this move by ICA. Being stranded on the Causeway can be rather annoying.

From Dec 1, all heavy vehicles, such as lorries and trucks, arriving from Malaysia and leaving Singapore will be able to use the old checkpoint for clearance. So that they don't clog the road with their long queue.

By March next year, motorcycles entering Singapore will be able to use it as well. Presently, only departing trucks are allowed to use the old checkpoint in the late afternoon peak hours between 3pm and 10pm.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) revealed on Friday the $2million project to refurbish the checkpoint to deal with the ever-increasing volume of traffic across the Causeway.

For a start, when the project is completed, heavy vehicles will have 10 clearance counters - up from the present six. By next year, the counters for motorcycles will also be increased - from the current 50 to 70. To cope with the volume of traffic, the ICA will also be recruiting 113 officers to boost its strength.