Gourt Home::Gourt :: Malaysia-Singapore Second Link
| E3 expressway | |
| Length | km |
| Direction | north-south |
| Start | Senai North, Johor |
| Main destinations | Senai International Airport Saleng Bukit Indah Bandar Nusajaya Pulai Taman Perling Gelang Patah Port Tanjung Pelepas Tanjung Kupang Tuas, Singapore |
| End | Tuas, Singapore |
| Construction dates | 1994 - 1997 |
| Expressways joined | North-South Expressway Southern route Senai Link JB Parkway Pontian Link |
Malaysia-Singapore Second Link is a bridge connecting Singapore to Johor, Malaysia. In Singapore, it is officially known as the Tuas Second Link. The bridge was built to reduce the traffic congestion at Johor-Singapore Causeway.
At Malaysian side, the bridge is connected to the Second Link Expressway (Expressway E3) (Malay: Laluan Kedua Malaysia Singapura) also known as Linkedua Expressway, which links from Exit 253 Senai North at North-South Expressway, Senai Airport and Taman Perling, Johor Bahru via its extension known as Johor Bahru Parkway. At Singapore, the bridge connects to Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim at the western end of Ayer Rajah Expressway.
In addition to the Causeway, a second land link between Singapore and Malaysia was opened to traffic on 2 January 1998: a twin-deck bridge which supports a dual-three lane carriageway linking Kampong Ladang at Tanjung Kupang, Johor to Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim at Tuas in Singapore. The total length of the bridge over water is 1,920 m.
The checkpoint on Singapore side (Tuas Checkpoint) is built on 19.6 ha of reclaimed land. The total volume of concrete used was 54,000 cubic meters, and the total weight of reinforcing steel was 18,000 tones.
Usually, travelling along the second link is much faster than travelling on the Causeway, as the traffic is smoother in both directions. However, during festive periods (especially Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Christmas and Deepavali), massive traffic jams still arise as the huge amount of traffic going between Malaysia and Singapore during these periods leads to massive jams on both the causeway and the second link.
How to go there
From Malaysia
To enter the expressway, exit the North-South Expressway (Expressway E2) at Exit 253 Senai North and proceed along the expressway to Singapore. Alternatively, motorists can also enter the expressway via Taman Perling which also joins with Pasir Gudang Highway (Federal Route 17) and Skudai Highway. The expressway link to Taman Perling is also known as Johor Bahru Parkway.
From Singapore
Enter the expressway via Ayer Rajah Expressway and Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim.Navigational channels
When travelling by Sea, navigational aids consists of lights mounted on the bridge piers and lighted buoys placed at strategic navigational locations. The 3 sea channels dimensions are 75m wide by 25m high; 50m wide by 9m high; and 75m wide by 12m high.
Tolls
On the Malaysian side, the payments are for the highway and Second Link tolls. This excludes the tolls for the Lima Kedai and Taman Perling points which are the two routes directly linked to the bridge. Both routes have different charges.
At the first Malaysian Toll Booth (Tanjung Kupang Toll Plaza)
- RM1.30 - Motorcycles (edited RM1; the toll prices are exact as of December 20, 2005)
- RM8.40 - Passenger Cars
- RM15 - Vans and other small good vehicles
- RM30 - Large Trucks
- RM5 - Taxis
- RM8 - Buses
On the Singapore side of the bridge, the rates are
- S$0.60 - Motorcycles
- S$3.70- Passenger Cars
- S$6 - Vans and other small good vehicles
- S$12 - Large Trucks
- S$2 - Taxis
- S$3 - Buses
History
In July 1989, United Engineers Malaysia Berhad (UEM) submitted a proposal to the government of Malaysia to privatize the construction of a second link to Singapore. The acceptance of the proposal brought about the signing of a concession agreement in July 1993, giving exclusive rights and authority to UEM to design, construct, manage, operate and maintain the bridge and expressways for a period of 30 years commencing 27 July 1993.
Following this, a novation agreement was executed in May 1994, whereby UEM assigned all its rights, liabilities and obligations in respect of the concession agreement to Linkedua (Malaysia) Berhad, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UEM.
The construction of the bridge required the cooperation of the government of Malaysia and the government of the Republic of Singapore. On 22 March 1994, an inter-government agreement was signed defining the responsibilities of both governments with regard to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the bridge. Each government was responsible for the construction of the portion the bridge which fell within its borders, based on a common agreed design. A joint committee comprising representatives of each government was formed to oversee the implementation of this Malaysia-Singapore Second Crossing project.
The major components of the project are the Second Crossing bridge, forty-four kilometers of expressways, a Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex, 3 toll plazas, 2 rest and service areas and other ancillary facilities. The bridge was designed to accommodate up to 200,000 vehicles a day.
The Second Link was first opened to traffic on 2 January 1998. It was officially opened on 18 April the same year by the Prime Ministers of both countries, namely Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia and Goh Chok Tong of Singapore. The Malaysia-Singapore Second Crossing heralded a new era in bilateral relations, and brought with it the promise of improved economic and social ties.
On 12 July 2006, the Second Link became as a place to illegal racing. The Johor police and the Road Transport Department with the highway operator PLUS Expressway has launched the big operations to crackdown against illegal racing. More then 100,000 people were arrested in this operations. (Source: New Straits Times, 13 July 2006)
Major events
Johor-Singapore International 2nd Link Bridge Run
Since 1999, an annual 2nd Link Bridge Run is organized to promote sports and cross-border ties. Both countries take turns to host the event that has seen increasing numbers of participants.
On October 2, 2005, the sixth Bridge Run event attracted 10,000 participants who took part in two categories: a half-marathon and a shorter 10-kilometer run.
Linkedua Drag Race 2006
The Malaysia-Singapore Second Crossing (LINKEDUA) organized the first ever Highway Drag Race near Gelang Patah on 15 April 2006.
Jointly organized by Nusajaya Development Sdn Bhd and PLUS Expressway Berhad (PEB). the ‘Youth and motorsports, say no to drugs and illegal race’ – themed event is aimed at promoting the motorsport to the Malaysian public as well as boost tourism in Johor and Malaysia.
Drag race is popular overseas and has also a strong following in Malaysia. This sport demands high discipline from race participants such as wearing proper clothing, jackets, helmets and shoes. It also educates drivers and fans on good driving habits and safe driving aspects.
The drag challenge is divided into five and six different categories for car and motorcycle respectively. A total of more than 100 cars and motorcycles competed for cash prizes during the event.
The first ever drag race is also packed with other activities such as vehicle audio system exhibition, accessory and promotional booths and car club meetings.
Technical specifications
Bridge Specifications
- Overall length of bridge: 1920m
- Length within Malaysian waters: 1769m
- Construction period: Oct 1994 to Oct 1997
- Total length of piles: 10,230m
- Total volume of concrete: 54000 cubic metres
- Total weight of reinforcing steel: 18,000 tonnes
- Total number of precast box segments: 840 units
- Longest span: 165m
Navigational Channels
- Malaysian main navigational channel: 75m wide by 25m high.
- Malaysian secondary navigational channel: 50m wide by 9m high.
- Singaporean navigational channel: 75m wide by 12m high
Main Expressway
- Length:
- Interchange:
- Toll Plazas: 3
- Rest and Service areas: 2
- Checkpoint: 2 (Tanjung Kupang (Malaysia), and Tuas (Singapore))
Features
- Variable Messages Systems (VMS)
- SOS emergency
- Traffic CCTV
List of Interchanges, Laybys and Rest and Service Areas
Senai Link
(Senai Industrial Park, Jalan Perusahan; joins Senai-Desaru Expressway E--)- Senai International Airport(Lapangan Terbang Senai) and Senai Airport Highway route 16
- Saleng and route 1
- Senai Selatan, Northern Link and North-South Expressway E2
Northern and Southern Link
- Senai Utara and NSE E2
- Senai Selatan and Senai Link
- Pulai complex interchange Pontian link and Johor Bahru Parkway
- Gelang Patah
- Gelang Patah rest and service area (north bound)
- Port of Tanjung Pelepas interchange
- Gelang Patah rest and service area (south bound)
- (Sultan Abu Bakar Custom Immigration and Quarantine Checkpoint)
- (Second Link Bridge)
- (Tuas Checkpoint)
Pontian Link
(Under construction)Johor Bahru Parkway
- Pulai Complex Interchange, Pontian Link and Northern and Southern Link
- Bukit Indah
See also
- Johor-Singapore Causeway
- Malaysian expressway system
- Expressways of Singapore
- Pasir Gudang Highway
- Ayer Rajah Expressway
External links
Bridges in Malaysia | Expressways and Highways in Johor Bahru | Transport in Singapore | Toll roads | Orbital roads | Expressways in Malaysia
"Malaysia-Singapore Second Link"