Second Link

Malaysia–Singapore Second Link (Malay: Laluan Kedua Malaysia–Singapura, Chinese: 第二通道) is a bridge connecting Singapore and Johor, Malaysia. In Singapore, it is officially known as the Tuas Second Link. The bridge was built to reduce the traffic congestion at the Johor–Singapore Causeway, and was opened to traffic on 2 January 1998. The twin-deck bridge supports a dual-three lane carriageway linking Kampong Ladang at Tanjung Kupang, Johor to Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim at Tuas, Singapore. The total length of the bridge over water is 1,920 m (6,300 ft).

At Malaysian side, the bridge is connected to the Second Link Expressway (Malay: Lebuhraya Laluan Kedua Malaysia-Singapura) also known as Linkedua Expressway, which links from Senai North Interchange EXIT 253 atNorth-South Expressway, Senai Airport and Taman Perling, Johor Bahru via its extension known as Johor Bahru Parkway. In Singapore, the bridge connects to the Ayer Rajah Expressway.

The checkpoint on Singapore side, the Tuas Checkpoint, was built on 19.6 ha (47.4 acres) of reclaimed land at a cost of S$485 million. Designed by CPG Corporation, it involved the use of 54,000 cubic metres of concrete and 18,000 tones of reinforcing steel, and won the Architectural Design Award and Best Buildable Design Awardawarded by the Singapore Institute of Architects and the Building and Construction Authority respectively [1].

Usually, traveling along the second link is much faster than traveling on the Causeway, as the traffic is smoother in both directions. However, during festive periods (especially Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Christmas andDeepavali), the huge amount of traffic going between Malaysia and Singapore still leads to massive jams on both the causeway and the second link.

[edit] From Malaysia
View from the Second Link bridge, facing towards Malaysia.Tuas entry stamp in Malaysian PassportTuas exit stamp in Malaysian PassportThe approach to the bridge is via the Second Link Expressway, which can be accessed by exiting the North-South Expressway at EXIT 253 Senai North Interchange. Alternatively, motorists can also enter the expressway via Taman Perling which also joins with Pasir Gudang Highway (Federal route and Skudai Highway(Federal route ). The expressway link to Taman Perling is also known as Pontian-Johor Bahru Parkway.

[edit] From Singapore
The bridge is directly accessed via the Ayer Rajah Expressway, along with other supporting roads around the vicinity of the Tuas industrial area.

History
The idea of building a second link between Malaysia and Singapore was first raised in July 1980 by then-Menteri Besar Othman Saat. Gelang Patah was raised as a viable site due to its distant proximity fromJohor Bahru, and the suggestion was raised to tackle growing traffic jams on the causeway.[1] The Malaysian federal Government welcomed Othman's plan, and the Johor State Government formed a committee to study the feasibility of building the second link.[2]

In July 1989, United Engineers Malaysia Berhad (UEM) submitted a proposal to the government of Malaysia to privatize the construction of a second link to Singapore. The acceptance of the proposal brought about the signing of a concession agreement in July 1993, giving exclusive rights and authority to UEM to design, construct, manage, operate and maintain the bridge and expressways for a period of 30 years commencing 27 July 1993.

Following this, a novation agreement was executed in May 1994, whereby UEM assigned all its rights, liabilities and obligations in respect of the concession agreement to Linkedua (Malaysia) Berhad, a wholly owned subsidiary of UEM.

The construction of the bridge required the cooperation of the government of Malaysia and the government of the Republic of Singapore. On 22 March 1994, an inter-government agreement was signed defining the responsibilities of both governments with regard to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the bridge. Each government was responsible for the construction of the portion the bridge which fell within its borders, based on a common agreed design. A joint committee comprising representatives of each government was formed to oversee the implementation of this Malaysia-Singapore Second Crossing project.

The major components of the project are the Second Crossing bridge, forty-four kilometers of expressways, a Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex, 3 toll plazas, 2 rest and service areas and other ancillary facilities. The bridge was designed to accommodate up to 200,000 vehicles a day.

The Second Link was first opened to traffic on 2 January 1998. It was officially opened on 18 April the same year by the Prime Ministers of both countries, namely Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia and Goh Chok Tong of Singapore. The Malaysia-Singapore Second Crossing heralded a new era in bilateral relations, and brought with it the promise of improved economic and social ties.

[edit] Tanjung Kupang Toll Plaza (TTK) (Malaysia)

 * RM 6.40 charged for U-Turn back to Malaysia.
 * Singapore dollar is also accepted but at the rate of 1:1 (i.e. Pay S$1.00 for RM1.00)

[edit] Tuas Checkpoint (Singapore)
(Fees reduced by 30% on 1 August 2010)

[edit] Navigational channels
When travelling by Sea, navigational aids consists of lights mounted on the bridge piers and lighted buoys placed at strategic navigational locations. The 3 sea channels dimensions are 75 m wide by 25 m high; 50 m wide by 9m (-- ft) high; and 75m (-- ft) wide by 12m (-- ft) high.

[edit] Johor–Singapore International 2nd Link Bridge Run
Since 1999, an annual 2nd Link Bridge Run is organized to promote sports and cross-border ties. Both countries take turns to host the event that has seen increasing numbers of participants.

[edit] Technical specifications
Bridge Specifications Navigational Channels
 * Overall length of bridge: 1920 m (6400 ft)
 * Length within Malaysian waters: 1769 m (5897 ft)
 * Construction period: Oct 1994 to Oct 1997
 * Total length of piles: 10,230 m (34100 ft)
 * Total volume of concrete: 54000 cubic metres (-- ib)
 * Total weight of reinforcing steel: 18,000 tonnes
 * Total number of precast box segments: 840 units
 * Longest span: 165 m (550 ft)
 * Malaysian main navigational channel: 75 m (250 ft) wide by 25 m (83 ft) high.
 * Malaysian secondary navigational channel: 50 m (167 ft) wide by 9 m (30 ft) high.
 * Singaporean navigational channel: 75 m (250 ft) wide by 12 m (40 ft) high

[edit] Public Bus Transport
Causeway Link Route CW3 from Malaysia goes into Bukit Indah via Tuas Checkpoint from Jurong East Bus Interchange in Singapore. Service 182 from SBS Transit calls at the bus stop outside Tuas Checkpoint but it does not cross over at Malaysia. Service 182M plies the exact route of Service 182 without calling at the bus stop outside Tuas Checkpoint.