Yes, you’ve read the headline right; in the distant future, we needn’t hop on a plane to America to tour New York’s Long Island. That’s because we’ll have one running along the East Coast of the Little Red Dot, stretching all the way from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Marina Barrage.
Dubbed the Long Island project by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), this mammoth undertaking entails reclaiming about 800 hectares of land off the East Coast, in hopes of protecting the flood-prone areas in the vicinity. Here’s what we currently know about it, and what we can expect in the coming years.
A flooded area of East Coast Park during high tide in 2024.
Image credit: PUB
The Long Island project is a solution proposed by the URA to protect low-lying areas around the East Coast of Singapore, which are susceptible to floods caused by the rising sea levels. To do this, it plans to reclaim 800 hectares of land – that’s roughly the area of 1,100 football fields put together – around the waters of the East Coast.
What the topography of Singapore’s East Coast could potentially look like after the Long Island project.
Image credit: URA
As such, the project might potentially give rise to smaller “islands”, hence its name. Another welcome outcome of the Long Island project is the creation of more recreational spaces by adding around 20km of new coastal parks, all of which will ultimately be part of a larger 120km stretch of accessible waterfront space along Singapore’s Southern coast.
The URA plans to reclaim the land in the vicinity to a higher elevation to form a physical line of defence to combat the rising sea levels. Taking a page out of Marina Barrage’s book, 12 outlet drains along the coast will also be built to drain water into a new reservoir, which will be fitted with 2 centralised barrages and pumping stations.
All of these will work in tandem to keep out seawater during high tides and discharge excess water into the sea during heavy rainfall.
Image credit: URA
Just like its name, we’re in for a long wait before the Long Island project will be complete. While exact dates haven’t been thrown out yet, the project is estimated to take a few decades to plan, design, and implement, so don’t get your hopes up just yet.
Image credit: NParks
For now, the URA has already started conducting site investigation works in the waters surrounding East Coast Park since August 2025, and these are slated to be completed by this April.
These initial studies will collect information such as an understanding of the geological and seabed conditions, which will be taken into consideration during the planning of the project. You might come across a couple of marine barges in the water during your visit to East Coast Park, especially if you’re doing water sports in the area.
Image credit: URA
These marine barges will remain at the investigation sites to conduct field tests, which are not expected to result in any pollution or environmental impact. Park-goers are advised to maintain a distance of at least 100m from these barges and survey boats for their own safety.
As to what’s next for the Long Island project in the not-so-distant future, preparatory works are being planned as we speak. These include the removal of seabed obstructions and the movement of materials into the waters to pave the way for the main reclamation works.
Image credit: Now Boarding by Changi Airport
As of writing, park-goers can expect business to run as usual, so there’ll be no closures or disruption to park activities of any sort. However, this might change in the near future; you can keep yourself updated on any new developments regarding the Long Island project via the URA website.
Image credit: URA
While it may be a while before we can actually set foot on Singapore’s Long Island, its future holds much promise. The URA and its partner agencies have been actively engaging the public and stakeholders such as nature groups, sports and recreational interest groups, and the local community to gather their concerns regarding the Long Island project.
Some of the input collected from dialogue sessions and online feedback forms includes the desire for the creation of habitats for marine life to thrive, and the preservation of the recreational character of East Coast Park. The addition of accessible and inclusive spaces was also raised, as well as the suggestion to incorporate sustainable design into the project.
If you’d like to leave any suggestions or views of your own, you can do so by filling out this online Long Island survey by URA.
Although we’ve got quite a bit of waiting to do, there’s plenty to look forward to when it comes to the Long Island project. It’s a “retrofit” of East Coast Park that’s equal parts functional and aesthetic, so we can’t really be complaining too much; as they say, good things take time.
For more outdoorsy things to do in Singapore in the meantime:
Cover image adapted from: URA
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