Singapore tunnel protected by advanced fire-fighting technology

SINGAPORE: Motorists driving through the new Woodsville Tunnel will be protected by state-of-the-art fire-fighting technology that can unleash a deluge of water at the touch of a button.

The S$3.5mil (RM8.5mil) system can be activated from a control centre and is designed to tackle flames before they grow too big.

Sensors and cameras have been fitted to alert staff, who can then switch on the sprinklers.

Motorists using the Woodsville Tunnel road (left). — The Straits Times / Asia News Network

This is the first road tunnel in Singapore to be equipped with such fire-fighting system.

The tunnel, which opened on Saturday, will benefit motorists travelling along Upper Serangoon Road to Bendemeer Road, Serangoon Road to Upper Serangoon Road and Mac­Pherson Road to Bendemeer Road.

It is part of a larger upgrading project called the Woodsville Interchange, which has been under construction since 2008.

An opening ceremony was held on Friday.

It was attended by Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Yaacob Ibrahim and Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew.

Residents who had put up with 50 road diversions while the interchange was being upgraded said the tunnel would provide a short-cut to the Pan-Island Expressway and saved about 10 minutes of driving time. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network