Woodlands Checkpoint sees heavy congestion as Singapore tightens border security checks

On 2 March 2026, travellers entering Singapore faced extreme delays at the Woodlands Checkpoint. These delays were a direct result of Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) stepping up security measures across all land, air, and sea entry points.
The enhanced checks followed a major escalation in Middle East tensions after strikes by the US and Israel resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, prompting retaliatory attacks in the region.
Motorists on the Causeway encountered gridlocked lanes filled with motorcycles, cars, and cargo trucks, while commuters at bus bays faced exceptionally long queues.
Metric |
Woodlands (Causeway) |
Tuas (Second Link) |
| Peak wait time (2026 March 2) | 105 - 160 minutes | 21 - 35 minutes |
| Normal wait time | < 20 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Traffic condition | Severely congested | Relatively smooth |
- Woodlands Checkpoint: At its peak around 9:30am on 2 March 2026, crossing times were nearly eight times longer than in the previous week.
- Tuas Checkpoint: Remained the more favoruable route, with wait times staying relatively stable.
The ICA has advised all travellers to factor in significant additional time for immigration clearance as these security measures remain in place. To manage the uncertainty, drivers are using platforms like Motorist Singapore for real-time traffic updates and live camera feeds.
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