1. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) today awarded the third and fourth of six major civil contracts for the construction of the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE).

2. With the award of the two new contracts, LTA has awarded four out of the six civil contracts to construct the MCE. In addition, the LTA has also awarded four contracts for the provision of various Electrical & Mechanical (E&M) and Cladding systems required for the road tunnel.

3. Please refer to Annex A for the list of contracts that were awarded today.

4. With the award of the six contracts, LTA has since awarded contracts with a total value of $3.1 billion for the construction of the MCE. Works for the MCE are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2009.

5. The MCE includes a 3.6km long road tunnel that will run through segments of reclaimed land as well as a 420m section that runs below the seabed of Marina Bay.

6. "Given the poor soil conditions and the reclaimed land at the location where the MCE will run, and the many engineering challenges, it is important that we put in place a more comprehensive and robust temporary wall system for the tunnel excavations, to ensure that the construction of MCE can be carried out safely," said LTA Chief Executive, Mr Yam Ah Mee.

About the MCE

7. The dual-five lane, 5km long MCE is a key element of the strategic island-wide road network to support the long-term growth of Singapore. The underground east-west transport link runs between the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE), the East Coast Parkway (ECP) and the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), with direct connections to the Marina South and Straits View areas.

8. The MCE is expected to be completed by 2013. The construction of the MCE is part of the government's commitment to improve the Singapore's land transport network in the next 10 to 15 years.

9. The MCE's total route length includes a 3.6km long road tunnel, two ventilation buildings and 13.1 hectares of land reclamation. It also includes 3 interchanges with KPE/ECP, Marina Boulevard and Central Boulevard, and the AYE.

10. With several upcoming developments such as the Marina Barrage, the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort, the Sail @ Marina Bay and the Marina Bay Financial Centre in the vicinity, the MCE will cater to the projected increase in traffic volume generated in the Marina Bay area and serves as an essential transport link from the Marina Bay area to the rest of the island.

Annex A : Details of Contracts Awarded

Annex B : Artist impression of MCE tunnel