Bartley Road East is a major arterial road in Singapore stretching approximately 5.3 kilometres. It runs from its junction with Bartley Road in the west to Tampines Avenue 10 in the east. Along its length, it passes through or borders several planning areas, including Serangoon, Toa Payoh, Hougang, Paya Lebar, Bedok, and Tampines. The road plays an important role in connecting the central and eastern regions of Singapore, complementing other expressways and arterial roads.
Bartley Road East begins at its junction with Bartley Road, close to the Bartley MRT Station. At this point, it forms a boundary between Serangoon to the north and Toa Payoh to the south. As it extends eastward, it cuts across southern Hougang, before delineating Paya Lebar in the north from Bedok in the south. The road then continues until it reaches Tampines, where it links up with Tampines Avenue 10, a key access road for the Tampines town area.
The road is typically lined with greenery, interspersed with industrial estates, residential neighbourhoods, and schools. Several flyovers and underpasses also improve traffic flow, given its importance as a commuting corridor.
Bartley Road East was developed as part of Singapore’s efforts in the 1980s and 1990s to enhance connectivity between the central and eastern regions. It was constructed in phases, extending the older Bartley Road eastwards. Its alignment was carefully planned to bypass dense residential estates, while also connecting newly developing areas in Hougang and Tampines.
The name “Bartley” originates from William Bartley, a colonial-era officer who served as Acting Collector-General of Income Tax in Singapore during the 1930s. The name has been retained for both Bartley Road and Bartley Road East. The road’s name is pronounced as “BART-lee”, with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) rendering being /ˈbɑːrtli/.
Bartley Road East has a mixed character along its route. Near Serangoon and Toa Payoh, the surroundings feature mature housing estates, schools, and small commercial areas. In the Hougang and Paya Lebar sections, one encounters light industrial buildings and workshops. As the road approaches Bedok and Tampines, it transitions into large-scale residential areas, new developments, and green buffers that separate estates from the main carriageway.
Along Bartley Road East and its vicinity, one may find:
The areas surrounding Bartley Road East offer a wide range of residential options, from public housing flats to private condominiums and landed properties. As of early 2025, resale HDB flats in nearby Hougang and Bedok are priced between SGD 520,000 and SGD 750,000 for a 4-room unit, measuring about 1,000 sq ft (93 sq m). Private condominiums, such as those in Bartley and Tampines, command prices from around SGD 1,700 to SGD 2,000 per sq ft. For instance, a 1,200 sq ft (111 sq m) condominium unit may fetch between SGD 2.0 and 2.3 million for sale, or about SGD 4,500 per month in rental value.
Compared to central Singapore, properties along Bartley Road East are generally more affordable, while still offering convenient transport links via the MRT and major arterial roads.
The nearest station to the western end of Bartley Road East is Bartley MRT Station, which lies on the Circle Line. From this station, commuters can easily access central locations such as Serangoon, Bishan, and Paya Lebar. Further eastward, Tampines is served by multiple MRT lines, including the Downtown Line and the East West Line.
Several bus stops are located along Bartley Road East, providing connections to Hougang, Bedok, and Tampines. These routes serve both local residential estates and longer-distance commutes to the Central Business District.
A lesser-known fact about Bartley Road East is that it was originally conceived as a relief route to ease congestion along the busy Pan Island Expressway (PIE). Its construction provided an important alternative east-west corridor, especially before the full development of the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE).
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