East Coast Parkway, Singapore

East Coast Parkway (abbreviated as ECP; pronunciation: "East Coast Parkway" — /iːst koʊst ˈpɑːrkweɪ/) is one of the most prominent expressways in Singapore. Stretching 15.6 km, it connects Downtown Core at Sheares Avenue with Changi Airport, serving as the main eastern gateway into the city for air travellers. The ECP also skirts the coastline of the island’s southeastern corridor, running through Kallang, Geylang, and Marine Parade, before reaching Bedok and Tampines. ¹

What the East Coast Parkway is like

The ECP is a multi-lane, dual carriageway expressway built primarily on reclaimed land. Its alignment follows the southeastern shoreline of Singapore, offering motorists occasional views of the sea, East Coast Park and the skyline of the Central Business District. The expressway has interchanges with major routes including the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), Central Expressway (CTE), and the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE), making it a crucial link in the national road network. ²

History of the East Coast Parkway

Plans for the expressway emerged in the early 1970s as part of Singapore’s East Coast Reclamation Scheme, which sought to create new land for housing, recreation, and transport. Construction of the ECP began in 1974, and the first section opened to traffic in 1981. The final stretch to Changi Airport was completed in 1985, coinciding with the airport’s expansion as Singapore’s international gateway. Over the decades, the ECP has undergone several widening and upgrading works to handle rising traffic volumes. ³

Name and pronunciation

The name East Coast Parkway reflects its location along the East Coast of Singapore. The term "Parkway" was chosen to evoke the idea of a landscaped road that blends transport efficiency with greenery. It is pronounced /iːst koʊst ˈpɑːrkweɪ/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), corresponding to the common spelling "East Coast Parkway." ⁴

Character of the expressway and its surroundings

The ECP’s character is shaped by its coastal location. Running parallel to East Coast Road, the expressway passes by some of Singapore’s most desirable residential districts, including Katong, Marine Parade, and Bedok South. On its seaward side lies East Coast Park, the island’s largest recreational beach park, which softens the expressway’s urban feel with stretches of greenery, palm trees and open sea views. Towards the east, the ECP runs past Changi Business Park and industrial estates before ending at Changi Airport. ⁵

Interesting sights along the ECP

East Coast Park: A 15 km long coastal park with cycling paths, barbecue pits, and family attractions, directly adjacent to the expressway.
Singapore Sports Hub: Visible from the western stretch of the ECP, the national stadium complex anchors the Kallang waterfront.
Katong and Joo Chiat: Peranakan heritage districts located just inland from the Marine Parade exit.
Changi Airport: The expressway’s eastern terminus, serving as Singapore’s international aviation hub.

Real estate along the East Coast Parkway

The ECP corridor is flanked by some of the most attractive real estate in Singapore, especially in Marine Parade, Katong and Bedok. These neighbourhoods offer a mix of public housing, landed homes and high-rise condominiums. As of September 2025, new launch condominiums in Marine Parade average about S$2,400–2,800 per sq ft, while resale units in older projects trade around S$1,600–1,900 per sq ft. By contrast, the national average for non-landed private properties is about S$1,750 per sq ft. ⁶

Typical apartment sizes include 1,000 sq ft (93 sq m) for 3-bedroom units and 1,400 sq ft (130 sq m) for larger family apartments. At these prices, a 1,000 sq ft unit would fetch around S$2.4 million in Marine Parade, while rental rates average S$5,000–6,000 per month for similar units. In the Bedok South area, prices are relatively more affordable, averaging around S$1,400–1,600 per sq ft, putting a 1,000 sq ft unit at about S$1.5 million. ⁶

Nearest MRT stations and lines

The ECP is paralleled inland by the Thomson–East Coast Line (TEL), with stations such as Marine Parade MRT Station, Marine Terrace MRT Station, and Tanjong Katong MRT Station. Farther east, Tanah Merah MRT Station on the East–West Line provides convenient airport access. The western stretch is close to stations along the Circle Line, including Stadium and Mountbatten. ⁷

Fun fact

The East Coast Parkway is the only expressway in Singapore that directly connects to an airport. This design decision was made to ensure a seamless journey for international visitors arriving at Changi Airport, allowing them to reach the city in under 20 minutes during off-peak hours. ⁸

Quick Facts

Length: 15.6 km

Route: Sheares Avenue (Downtown Core) → Kallang → Geylang → Marine Parade → Bedok → Tampines → Changi Airport

Opened: 1981–1985

Name: Derived from its location along Singapore’s East Coast

Nearest MRT lines: Thomson–East Coast Line, East–West Line, Circle Line

Key sights: East Coast Park, Katong/Joo Chiat, Singapore Sports Hub, Changi Airport

Real estate: Marine Parade condos average S$2,400–2,800 psf (Sept 2025); Bedok South condos average S$1,400–1,600 psf

Map of East Coast Parkway, Singapore

References

Page Details

This page was created on 6 September 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.

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