Woodlands blackout strands vehicles for hours
A power outage at Singapore’s Woodlands Checkpoint triggered a massive traffic jam on major roads leading to Johor Bahru, South China Morning Post reported. The Star said the disruption began around noon on the Singapore side, and although all counters at Malaysia’s Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex operated at optimum levels, the jam lasted many hours due to a buildup of vehicles from Singapore.
A Home Ministry official told The Star that a lorry heading to Singapore with mechanical failure worsened the situation. At press time, the cause of the outage remained unclear, The Star reported. Roads affected included Jalan Tebrau, Jalan Skudai and Jalan Lingkaran Dalam, with travel time into Johor Bahru at 32 minutes and into Singapore from Johor Bahru at one hour and 10 minutes, The Star said.
AsiaOne reported that on Oct 30 the queue at Woodlands Checkpoint reached the Bukit Timah Expressway near Exit 10A, and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority advised motorists to expect waits of two hours or longer. ICA also said two vehicles had broken down near the International Boundary along the Causeway towards Singapore, blocking one of three lanes, AsiaOne reported.
ICA warns of heavy Deepavali traffic Nov 6-9
The gridlock comes as Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority warned on Nov 1 that travellers should expect heavy traffic and longer waiting times at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints during the Deepavali long weekend from Nov 6 to Nov 9, The Straits Times reported. ICA encouraged travellers to plan ahead, check traffic conditions before departing, and consider travelling during non-peak hours, Straits Times reported.
Nov 6-9 travel: QR codes and long waits possible
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) urged travellers to create QR codes through the MyICA app during the upcoming Deepavali holiday to speed up immigration checks, according to the *Straits Times*. The authority warned that firm action will be taken against those who do not comply with officers’ instructions or commit traffic offences, and queue cutters will be directed to make a U-turn and rejoin the queue from the back, Straits Times said.
Travel questions for the Deepavali weekend
What caused the Oct 30 power outage at Woodlands?
The cause remained unclear at press time, The Star reported. A Home Ministry official told the outlet that a lorry with mechanical failure worsened the congestion, but the power outage itself was not explained.
Earlier coverage: Power Outage at Woodlands Checkpoint Causes Heavy Traffic Jam in Johor
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