Singapore: Traffic Access Improved For 2009 Formula One Race

The road closure period will be significantly shortened to seven days, as compared to 12 days during last year's race. Full road closures will start from 0000hrs, 23 September 09, Wednesday, two days before race days; and all roads will be operational from 1700hrs, 29 September 09. Last year, road closures started on the weekend before the race (Saturday, 20 September 08) and continued up until Thursday, 2 October 08.

Comparing the number of hours where roads were fully closed to set up the race, this represents a 43% reduction over last year. Nonetheless, full road closures around the Marina Bay street circuit are necessary to provide the race organiser with sufficient time to complete the final installations for the race and allow the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to conduct the final track inspections.

[B]Maintaining traffic access to Marina area[/B]

Based on experience gathered during the inaugural event last year, several measures will be adopted this year to accommodate the shorter road closure period but, at the same time, ensure that the roads around thehe street circuit remain accessible to motorists and members of the public.

[I]More resources added[/I]

First, Singapore GP will commit significantly more manpower and resources to speed up the installation of the race infrastructure such as installing concrete barriers and debris fencing, spectator and perimeter fencing, grandstands and temporary pedestrian overhead bridges.

[I]Utilisation of swing gates[/I]

Second, to shorten the time taken to assemble and dismantle the race infrastructure, new circuit fixtures such as swing gates will be utilised. The use of swing gates will reduce the work needed to open and close off the track to facilitate stakeholder access and the re-opening of roads for access during the daily morning peak period.

[I]Use of single lane closures[/I]

In addition, single lane closure will be implemented where possible during the set-up of the circuit infrastructure. This avoids having to close entire stretches of roads, and ensures that motorists can continue to use the roads, while works to set up the race infrastructure are ongoing.

Single-lane closures will start progressively from 0900hrs on Saturday, 19 September 09 onwards until the set up of race infrastructure is completed. After the race, single lane closures will facilitate the dismantling of the race infrastructure. All lanes are expected to re-open by 1700hrs on Friday, 2 October 09.

For more information and for the full version of this press release, visit [URL=http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=2107]Land Transport Authority[/URL]

Credits: JRC