In a joint statement, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Land Authority said the acquisition, which was gazetted today, was aimed at enhancing connectivity and facilitating cross-border movement.

They said the expansion of the Woodlands checkpoint would help reduce the average travel time from the current 60 minutes to 15 during peak periods.

It would also incorporate more automation, such as automated in-car immigration clearance systems, to increase efficiency, they said.

“We will continue our strong partnership with the Malaysian government to strengthen connectivity and people-to-people links.”

Singaporean authorities say that the two parcels of land, with a total area of about 0.79 hectares, are vegetated and unused.

Last year, the number of commuters who used the Woodlands checkpoint increased by 22% to 327,000 from 269,000 in 2023.

During the year-end school holidays in 2024, a record 376,000 travellers used the checkpoint on Dec 20, 2024. The average daily number of travellers passing through the checkpoint is projected to reach 400,000 by 2050.

The statement said that the ICA would redevelop and expand the Woodlands checkpoint in phases over the next 10 to 15 years to provide a long-term solution to the chronic congestion at the land crossing.

Under the Phase 1 of construction process, the ICA will build an extension of the checkpoint at the Old Woodlands Town Centre.

“Construction work for this phase will commence in the third quarter of 2025,” it said, adding that the extension will include new automated clearance facilities for cargo vehicles, arriving cars, and arriving motorcycles.

The Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) will be extended to create a direct route for vehicles exiting the checkpoint to access the BKE, to reduce traffic congestion on local roads during peak hours.