Malaysia–Singapore Second Link

The Malaysia–Singapore Second Link (, ) 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 traffic congestion on the Johor–Singapore Causeway and was opened to traffic on 2 January 1998. It was inaugurated jointly by Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia.

The 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 . The distance between checkpoints is approximately .

Unlike its shorter counterparts in Woodlands, as Tuas Checkpoint is designated as a vehicular checkpoint only, travellers are not allowed to arrive at the checkpoint by foot.

Travelling along the Second Link usually takes less time than the Causeway due to smoother traffic in both directions; however, during festive periods (especially Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Christmas and Deepavali) the dense traffic between Malaysia and Singapore still leads to massive jams on both crossings.

History

The idea of building a second link between Malaysia and Singapore was first raised in July 1980 by then-Menteri Besar of Johor, Othman Saat. Gelang Patah was raised as a viable site due to its distant proximity from Johor Bahru, and the suggestion was raised to tackle growing traffic jams on the Johor-Singapore causeway.Bernama, Causeway or Free Trade Zone request, p. 12, 14 July 1980, New Straits Times 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."Panel set up to study link Proposal", p. 8, 17 December 1980, New Straits Times

In July 1989, United Engineers Malaysia Berhad (UEM) submitted a proposal to the government of Malaysia to privatise 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 co-operation of the government of Malaysia and the government 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 kilometres of expressways, a Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex, three toll plazas, two 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 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.

Design Designed by CPG Corporation, it involved the use of of concrete and of reinforcing steel, and won the Architectural Design Award and Best Buildable Design Award awarded by the Singapore Institute of Architects and the Building and Construction Authority respectively.

Checkpoints

The checkpoint on the Malaysia side is the Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ Complex (Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar). The checkpoint on the Singapore side, the Tuas Checkpoint, was built on of reclaimed land at a cost of S$485 million.

Access from other roads From Malaysia On the Malaysian side, the bridge is connected to the Second Link Expressway (Malay: Lebuhraya Laluan Kedua Malaysia–Singapura) E3 also known as Linkedua Expressway, which links from Senai North Interchange Exit 253 at North–South Expressway E2, Senai Airport and Taman Perling, Johor Bahru via its extension known as Johor Bahru Parkway E3.

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.

Toll charges Tanjung Kupang Toll Plaza (Heading into Malaysia) ClassType of vehiclesRate(in Malaysian Ringgit (RM))0Motorcycles(Vehicles with two axles and two wheels)RM1.101Private Cars(Vehicles with two axles and three or four wheels (excluding taxi and bus))RM7.502Vans and other small good vehicles(Vehicles with two axles and six wheels (excluding bus))RM17.103Large Trucks(Vehicles with three or more axles (excluding bus))RM34.404TaxisRM5.705BusesRM9.10

Tuas Checkpoint (heading into Singapore)

ClassType of vehiclesRate (in Singapore Dollar (S$)) MotorcyclesNil Passenger CarsS$2.10 Vans and other small good vehiclesS$5.60 Large TrucksS$11.30 TaxisS$1.60 BusesS$2.30

Payment Modes CountryPaymentAcceptanceNotesMalaysiaCash payment (using Touch n' Go and Credit/Debit Card)SingaporeAutopass CardNon-Singapore registered vehicles onlyCEPAS CBT EZ-Link and Concession CardSimplyGo EZ-Link and Concession CardCEPAS EZ-Link x Touch n' Go CardCEPAS EZ-Link MotoringCEPAS NETS MotoringNETS Contactless CashCardNETS PrepaidCEPAS NETS FlashPayCash paymentMastercardVisaNETS TapNETS CashCard (1st generation)ObsoleteAmerican Express

2020 Malaysia movement control order On 16 March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, Malaysia Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that Malaysia would be implementing a movement control order which would start from 18 March. Due to the movement order, the Causeway faced immense jams due to a surge of Malaysians returning to Malaysia and back to Singapore before the order took effect. All bus services could not enter Johor Bahru for two weeks from 18 March to 31 March 2020. However, the flow of cargo, goods and food supplies carried on as normal.

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 three sea channels dimensions are wide by high; wide by high; and wide by high.

Technical specifications Bridge Specifications Overall length of bridge: Distance between both checkpoints: Length within Malaysian waters: Construction period: Oct 1994 to Oct 1997 Total length of piles: Total volume of concrete: Total weight of reinforcing steel: Total number of precast box segments: 840 units Longest span:

Navigational Channels Malaysian main navigational channel: wide by high. Malaysian secondary navigational channel: wide by high. Singaporean navigational channel: wide by high

Public transport

Causeway Link Routes CW3, CW4, CW6 and CW7 from Jurong East, Boon Lay & Tuas Link in Singapore to Bukit Indah, Gelang Patah, Pontian & Legoland in Malaysia cross the Second Link daily.

Transtar Travel Routes TS6 & TS6A from Buona Vista & Changi Airport via one-north & Tuas Link in Singapore to Legoland, Puteri Harbour & Gelang Patah Sentral in Malaysia cross the Second Link daily. Both routes stop at intermediate points on request.

Digital immigration initiatives (2024–2025) In mid-2024, the Malaysian government implemented a pilot program for "passport-less" immigration clearance at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) for Malaysian bus commuters and motorcyclists. The system utilizes a QR code-based application (such as MyTrip or MyRentas) to expedite border crossings. Following the initial pilot, the system was expanded in early 2025 to include car passengers and foreign nationals, as part of a broader effort to integrate travel within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Gallery

Malaysia–Singapore Second Link

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