SINGAPORE — Singapore will embark on a large-scale redevelopment of the Woodlands Checkpoint starting in the third quarter of 2025, in a long-term effort to ease chronic congestion at the key land crossing with Malaysia.
The multi-phase project, which will span the next 10 to 15 years, was announced in a joint statement by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) on Tuesday (June 4).
As part of the first phase, the checkpoint will be expanded into the Old Woodlands Town Centre. New automated clearance facilities will be built to cater to cargo vehicles, arriving cars, and motorcycles. The redevelopment aims to improve clearance efficiency and enhance border security amid growing travel demand.
To facilitate the expansion, Singapore will acquire two land parcels totaling approximately 0.79 hectares from the Malaysian government. The plots are located within the middle of the redevelopment area and are currently unused and vegetated.
According to the SLA, the government had formally written to Malaysia in May 2022 and again in November 2023 to propose the purchase. The acquisition was gazetted on June 4.
“SLA and ICA will work closely with the Malaysian Government through the acquisition process,” the agencies said.
The plan also includes extending the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) to create a direct route from the checkpoint, helping to divert traffic away from local roads and reduce congestion during peak hours.
Daily traveller volume at Woodlands Checkpoint rose to 327,000 in 2024, up 22 per cent from 269,000 the year before. On December 20, 2024, the checkpoint saw a record high of 376,000 travellers. By 2050, the average daily volume is expected to reach 400,000.
Future phases of the redevelopment will include additional clearance infrastructure and retrofitting of existing facilities. Once fully completed, the upgraded checkpoint is expected to reduce average peak-period clearance times from one hour to just 15 minutes.
The redeveloped facility will also feature advanced automation, remote security screening to reduce congestion at the core checkpoint area, and holding zones for vehicles within the checkpoint to ease pressure on the BKE and surrounding roads.
“The redeveloped Woodlands Checkpoint will enhance the immigration clearance experience for travellers crossing the Causeway,” the statement said. “ICA will continue to leverage technology and develop innovative solutions to facilitate cross-border travel and trade, while keeping our borders secure.”
