SINGAPORE: The Johor-Singapore Causeway, one of two land crossings between Singapore and Malaysia, experienced severe traffic congestion today as Singaporeans take advantage of the polling day holiday to embark on leisure trips to Johor Bahru (JB) and other parts of Malaysia.

Footage captured by the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) high-altitude cameras painted a grim picture of the traffic situation along the Causeway. Long queues of vehicles were visible in both directions of the Johor-Singapore Causeway, with the most severe congestion observed on the route from Singapore to Johor.

In the northbound direction, the traffic snarl extended all the way back to Mandai Road, causing a major bottleneck for commuters attempting to enter Malaysia. This gridlock was exacerbated by the influx of Singaporeans travelling to JB for a day of relaxation, shopping, and dining, taking advantage of the public holiday that coincided with the polling day.

While the Causeway grappled with severe congestion, the alternative route, Tuas Second Link, provided a modicum of relief for those travelling to and from Malaysia. At Tuas Second Link, only one lane heading towards Johor experienced traffic congestion, while another lane leading into Malaysia was more unobstructed.

Travel times for those going into Johor appeared to take more than two hours via both the Causeway and Tuas Link.

Keen to take advantage of today’s public holiday, some voters in Singapore arrived early at polling stations and began queueing up even before the stations opened at 8 a.m. According to the Elections Department, by 5 p.m., more than 85 per cent of voters had cast their ballots.

The sample results of the 2023 presidential election are set to be announced around 10 p.m. Stay tuned to find out who will become Singapore’s next head of state as the first open presidential election in over a decade unfolds.

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