By The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has announced today that an extension of the Woodlands Checkpoint (WCP) will be built at the Old Woodlands Town Centre (OWTC), as part of its efforts to upgrade WCP.
In a joint statement, ICA and Singapore Land Authority (SLA) stated that two lots of private land within the OWTC, located immediately east of the current WCP, will need to be acquired to build the extension of WCP.
ICA stated that since the opening of WCP in 1999, traveller and vehicle volumes through WCP have been increasing over the years while the security threat has heightened significantly. The chokepoint for immigration at the checkpoint has always reflected heavier traffic on Singapore’s side, especially during the weekends.
Therefore, the WCP has to be upgraded to meet growing traffic needs and ensure that immigration clearance remains secure.
Currently, ICA is conducting a feasibility study to determine the optimal design of the WCP extension and the full extent of upgrading and redevelopment works required.
According to SLA, the OWTC site will enable upgrading works to be progressively carried out at the existing WCP without compromising checkpoint operations. It will eventually become an extension of WCP to increase overall clearance capacity and to enhance security.
“It will eventually become an extension of WCP to increase overall clearance capacity and to enhance security,” it said.
SLA also announced that it has gazetted the acquisition of the affected land on Thursday (30 March), adding that it will work closely with the affected owners and tenants, and assist them throughout the acquisition process.