Braddell Road is an important arterial road in Singapore, stretching about 3.76 km in length. It runs from Upper Thomson Road in the west to Bartley Road at Upper Serangoon Road in the east. Along its alignment, it intersects with the Central Expressway (CTE), making it a crucial connector for motorists. The western section of the road lies in District 20, while the eastern section belongs to District 13. Braddell Road also serves as a boundary line, separating the Bishan Planning Area and Serangoon Planning Area to the north from the Toa Payoh Planning Area to the south.
Braddell Road was developed in the mid-20th century as part of Singapore’s efforts to improve cross-island connectivity. Its strategic alignment allowed traffic to flow between the northern and eastern regions of the island while connecting to emerging satellite towns such as Toa Payoh and Serangoon. The road gained further importance when the CTE was constructed in the late 1980s, as it provided a direct interchange that enhanced north–south traffic movement.
The development of Braddell Road was closely tied to the growth of Toa Payoh, Singapore’s first planned new town. As Toa Payoh expanded rapidly in the 1960s and 1970s, Braddell Road became the southern boundary and one of the main access points for the estate.
The road is named after Thomas Braddell (1823–1891), the first Attorney-General of the Straits Settlements. He was a key figure in colonial administration and legal affairs. The name is pronounced as BRA-dəl, with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription being /ˈbrædəl/.
Braddell Road has a mixed character. The western portion near Upper Thomson Road is leafy, with green buffers that reflect the proximity to the Central Water Catchment. As the road travels eastwards, it borders mature HDB estates in Bishan and Toa Payoh, featuring dense housing blocks, schools, and community facilities. The eastern end near Bartley and Upper Serangoon is more commercial, with industrial buildings, educational institutions, and access to Serangoon Central.
The road itself is typically busy, especially during peak hours, as it functions as a cross-island route. Heavy traffic is common at the junction with the CTE, making it one of the more congested segments of the road.
The real estate market along Braddell Road reflects the diversity of its surroundings. In Toa Payoh and Bishan, HDB flats remain popular, with 4-room resale flats averaging around S$620,000 for a 1,000 sq ft (93 sq m) unit as of early 20251. In contrast, private condominiums nearby, such as Sky Vue and Sky Habitat in Bishan, fetch prices of about S$1,900 to S$2,200 per sq ft. A 1,200 sq ft (111 sq m) unit would therefore cost between S$2.3 million to S$2.6 million2.
Rental prices vary significantly, with HDB flats renting at about S$3,200 to S$3,800 per month for 4-room units, while condominium rentals average S$5,000 to S$6,500 per month depending on unit size and facilities. These values are slightly higher than the national average due to the area’s central location and strong transport links.
Although Braddell Road does not have a station directly above it, several MRT stations are nearby. These include Braddell MRT (NS18) on the North South Line, Bishan MRT (CC15/NS17) on the Circle Line and North South Line, and Bartley MRT (CC12) on the Circle Line. These stations make the area highly accessible by rail.
The nearest MRT listed in the brief, Ubi MRT Station (DT27), is located further southeast, though it is not immediately adjacent to Braddell Road.
Braddell Road is lined with multiple bus stops that provide convenient access to surrounding estates. Bus services connect commuters to Serangoon, Ang Mo Kio, and Novena, among other destinations. Services also link commuters to MRT stations and schools in the area, making bus travel a popular mode of transport.
One interesting fact about Braddell Road is that it has historically been a dividing line between different phases of urban planning in Singapore. Toa Payoh, as Singapore’s first satellite town, grew south of Braddell Road, while Bishan, developed later in the 1980s, grew north of it. As such, the road is more than just a transport link—it symbolises Singapore’s progress in public housing and urban development.
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