ICA pins blame for heavy Causeway traffic on a bomb hoax, car breakdowns, and queue-cutting

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said via a press release on Wednesday, December 19, that the horrific congestion experienced by motorists driving on the Causeway on December 14 and again on the 16th was due to a bomb hoax, vehicle breakdowns and numerous cars jumping queues.

According to the ICA, these circumstances combined to cause major traffic in both directions.

Additionally, the Authority also said that traffic is generally heavier than usual at this time of the year because the beginning of school holidays and year-end festivities mean more people traversing the Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints.

The situation is not likely to let up anytime in the recent future, as the ICA expects congestion to continue until the end of 2018.

However, the ICA showed that it is taking a pro-active stance toward easing congestion through more speedy clearances in both Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints by doing real-time monitoring of outgoing and incoming traffic, thus adopting an approach to traffic management that is truly “multi-pronged.”

“This includes cross-deployment of officers and flexible use of lanes for clearance of conveyances,” ICA said in the press release.

“We would like to assure travelers that our officers are working round the clock and doing their utmost to ensure that travelers’ needs continue to be met without compromising security.

During this peak period, ICA officers have put in many overtime hours. All our available resources are being used.”

However, the press release also said that specific counters may be closed at different portions of the dar, due to redeployment of officers to other high traffic areas or shift changes.

ICA posts traffic advisories in its Facebook page, as well as on Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System (EMAS) installed along BKE and AYE and has told motorists to check these before travel for their utmost convenience.

Read related: Johor also affected by heavy traffic because of stricter ICA checks at Woodlands and the Second Link

https://theindependent.sg.sg/johor-also-affected-by-heavy-traffic-because-of-stricter-ica-checks-at-woodlands-and-the-second-link/