Swing KPE!

Some 15,000 participants had the opportunity to experience the unopened stretch of the KPE tunnel on foot this morning before it opens to traffic at 10 am on 20 September 2008 (Saturday).

The Swing KPE event was organised by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to celebrate the completion of Southeast Asia's longest underground expressway. The event is also part of LTA's on-going efforts to engage the community and to educate road users on Singapore's road infrastructure. Swing KPE is the third in a series of events to celebrate the full opening of the KPE. Prior to this, LTA had organised an emergency exercise and a car rally in the tunnel.

The participants either took part in a competitive 10km race or in a 5km walk-and-run. Defence Minister Mr Teo Chee Hean who attended the event as Advisor to Pasir Ris West constituency joined the participants in the 5-km walk-and-run.

[b]Charity Car Ride[/b]
A convoy of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Lamborghini and Lotus sports cars, vintage cars as well as green (CNG) taxis, gave rides to children from the Rainbow Centre and Infant Jesus Homes & Children's Centre. The rides were sponsored by some 50 companies.

After the rides, LTA Chairman, Mr Michael Lim, presented a cheque of $300,000 to President Nathan. The proceeds were raised from the charity car rides and LTA's fund raising efforts. Mr Lim said, "The LTA is privileged to contribute to the President's Challenge Fund. This is our way of giving back to the community that supported us in our various projects through the years."

[b]Largest Lantern Parade to Break Guinness Record[/b]
Some 9,000 participants who took part in the 5km walk-and-run attempted to break the Guinness Boto break the Guinness Book of Record for the largest lantern parade. A 1.6k m stretch of the tunnel was dimmed as participants switched on their battery-operated lanterns for the walk in the dark, guided by colourful mood lighting along the way. The current record was set in Kiel, Germany, on 13 November 2001 with 2,204 lanterns.

[b]Inter-Constituency Trishaw Race[/b]
The morning's programme also included an Inter-Constituency trishaw race, which saw nine teams representing constituencies along the KPE alignment - Eunos, Geylang Serai, Jalan Besar, Kolam Ayer, Mountbatten, Paya Lebar, Potong Pasir and Pasir Ris West - compete against one another. The race was organised for these constituencies to acknowledge their support during the seven-year construction period. Constituency Advisors who took part in the race included Mr Teo Chee Hean, Mr Lim Biow Chuan, Advisor to Mountbatten Constituency and Mdm Cynthia Phua, Advisor to Paya Lebar Constituency.

Credits: Jarvis