Singapore is set to begin a three-month pilot of a “scrabble crossing” (Shibuya-style scramble crossing) at the junction of Joo Chiat Road and East Coast Road from 16 November 2026. In the trial, vehicles remain stopped while pedestrians receive a green light to cross in any direction, including diagonally. The pilot runs for about three months and is intended to test whether the crossing format can become a permanent feature.
The trial is planned near the i12 Katong shopping area. Local reporting notes that Singapore already has one permanent scramble crossing near Lau Pa Sat, and that the Joo Chiat pilot is the first such trial since earlier attempts associated with Orchard in 2017. The Land Transport Authority says the change requires traffic-flow adjustments, including a prohibition on right turns from East Coast Road onto Joo Chiat Road, alongside advance signage and staff presence to manage the first day.
Differences in coverage are mainly in how much background and detail outlets provide. One outlet includes discussion of expected impacts on safety and road-user wait times, while others keep the report brief and focus on the location and start date.
