MORE than 1,300 households in Nee Soon South may get lift landings on every floor and a facelift to their estate soon – if at least three in four residents from the selected blocks agree to it.

The households, from 15 blocks of HDB flats in Yishun Street 81, were selected for the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) and Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP).

The two projects cost $23 million in all – $4 million for the NRP and $19million for the LUP.

Announcing the new projects yesterday, Ms Lee Bee Wah, an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC and adviser to Nee Soon South grassroots organisations, said that more than $50million has already been spent on revamping the lifts in Nee Soon South.

The 15 blocks are the last batch of flats to be selected under the programme, she added.

Giving an idea of the progress, Ms Lee said 32 blocks in the area had already upgraded their lifts, while another 61 blocks are in the process of doing so.

Urging residents yesterday to agree to the projects, Ms Lee said: ‘In the three years I have been here, I get many residents coming up to me, asking me when they would get their lifts upgraded.’

She added that many residents in the Nee Soon South area were elderly folk and the lift upgrading would go a long way towards helping them.

While she was unable to provide figures, she pointed out that the declining enrolment of children in PAP Community Foundation kindergartens in the area was a sign of the ageing population in the neighbourhood.

As for the NRP, a key HDB initiative to renew middle-aged towns, she said residents can get to decide the improvements they want to their neighbourhood, from new covered linkways to playgrounds.

Mrs Ruby Rosemarie Sylvester, who lives in one of these selected blocks, said she was looking forward to having a lift at her floor level so that her elderly parents can visit her more often.

‘They have so much difficulty with the stairs that they visit me only once a year, during Christmas,’ she said.

Source, Straits Times 19 Oct 2009

IN A push to adapt to the modern needs of Singaporeans, a community library, air-conditioned bus interchange and even a shopping mall have been added to the list of public amenities at a new government housing estate.

The 40-storey integrated complex – located at the former Clementi bus interchange – will be the first of its kind for public housing here, said the Housing Board, which yesterday called for tenders for the sale of the complex’s 25,000 sq m mall.

It will be ready by August next year, with 388 HDB flats – ranging from three-bedroom to five-bedroom units – on offer.

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), the marketing agent appointed to sell the mall, is confident that it will be sold by the time the tender period ends at noon on Nov 10.

‘Suburban malls have stable returns, even during poor economic years,’ said Ms Stella Hoh, the company’s head of investments, who added that JLL has already received a few queries from mall operators and private investors.

‘The fact that it is linked to HDB flats and transport links means it has a direct catchment area, making it very attractive to buyers.’

The only other similar existing integrated project is Centrepoint Properties’ Compass Heights in Sengkang, which combines a shopping mall, public transport hub and 536 private residential units.

Such mixed developments are a win-win, said experts: They help urban planners make efficient use of land and increase convenience for flat-dwellers.

‘By building a mall between blocks of flats, it frees up more land for other uses like landscaping,’ said Mr Colin Tan, director of research and consultancy at real estate consultancy Chesterton Suntec International. ‘This is a model that urban planners have been pursuing. It is compact and efficient.’

‘It is likely to be popular with city dwellers and should boost property prices in the area,’ he added, pointing out that the model is likely to become more widespread.

HDB hopes the complex will ‘provide a new buzz and add vibrancy to the Clementi Town Centre’.

Clementi, developed in the mid-1970s and home to about 140,000 people, is one of Singapore’s oldest HDB estates.

One Clementi resident, pharmacist Ying Luo, is looking forward to its completion.

‘There will be more amenities near my house,’ said the 28-year-old mother of one who lives in a three-room flat. ‘It will be exciting, especially for my son. We will go to the library for sure.’

However, when asked if she would take up residence at the complex, she said: ‘It depends. It might be noisy living so near a large mall.’

Source, Straits Times, 18 Sep 2009

SINGAPORE will be home to possibly the world’s largest sky garden – 500m long and 24m wide and perched up to 50 storeys above ground.

The garden, spread along a network of skybridges, will be on the doorsteps of HDB residents, so to speak, as part of it will sit atop the tallest-ever public housing project here, with another section further down.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan yesterday launched the 12th and final skybridge at the 1,848-unit The Pinnacle@Duxton in Cantonment Road. Twelve skybridges link the seven residential blocks at the 26th and 50th storeys, to create a long continuous sky garden on both levels.

The Pinnacle@Duxton is located where the first two HDB blocks in the area were built 50 years ago – an important tribute to the HDB’s 50th anniversary next year, said Mr Mah.
Residents will be able to collect their keys at the end of the year, said Mr Mah.

Source, Straits Times 3 Sep 2009

SINGAPORE’S next big power stations will be built in the eastern part of the island. Potential sites will be set aside and further information on them could be released to investors within months.

With most of the existing power stations in the west, apart from Senoko in the north, ‘we think there are benefits for a power station in the east’, said Energy Market Authority CEO Lawrence Wong.

‘It’s not just about security or strategic reasons,’ he said. ‘Having electricity generation closer to the load or demand as new industries or clusters grow in the east makes a lot of sense in terms of reducing transmission losses.’

‘We have looked at possible plots in the east that can be set aside for power stations and will be putting out some of this information in due course so investors looking at new generating plants can consider these as possibilities.’

EMA is looking at releasing information on the sites either in October or November this year as part of its annual Statement of Opportunities report, or in next year’s report, depending on when it is ready.

At present, two of the three biggest power plants here, PowerSeraya with 3,100 megawatts (MW) and Tuas Power with 2,670MW, are located in the West, along with Sembcorp Cogen (815MW) and Keppel Merlimau Cogen (498MW) on Jurong Island. Only the 3,300MW Senoko Power is in the north.

The move east – where there are still large plots available for large-scale power generation – is logical given the shortage of land in the west, especially on Jurong Island.

‘In the end, it’s all about land availability,’ said Mr Wong. ‘It depends on what sort of plant the investor is looking at. For example, a cogeneration plant producing both electricity as well as steam for industries is different from a stand-alone power generation plant.

‘If you are talking solely about power generation, there are not many sites available on Jurong Island for such a facility. So that’s a constraint.’

Given the general shortage of land, JTC Corporation has also embarked on an island-wide underground feasibility study, with underground power stations a potential application.

On this, Mr Wong said: ‘There is an inter-agency process going on within the Trade and Industry Ministry and we’re not ready to talk about details yet.’

Underground plants are possible and ‘already being done elsewhere’, he said, recounting a recent visit he made to two underground hydro-power stations at Manapouri in New Zealand that generate about 850MW.

‘But whether the idea is applicable here, given our geological considerations and our circumstances, that’s a question that remains,’ Mr Wong said.

Source: Business Times, 31 Aug 2009

ELDERLY residents at Nee Soon South are getting a leg-up with Khatib MRT station now fully equipped with barrier-free access facilities.

Work began in January this year on two new ramps, a covered shelter connecting the 20-year-old station to the nearest bus stop in Yishun Avenue 2, as well as an additional drop-off point.
The refurbishments cost $2 million.

Many of the estate’s residents have to walk through Khatib station to get to the nearest overhead bridge or the pedestrian crossing.

For the estate’s elderly folk, who make up more than half of the approximately 50,000 residents, climbing the stairs to get to the station was no mean feat.

One resident, Madam Wong Lay See, cheered when the station was outfitted with ramps. The 85-year-old walks through the station to get to the market every day.

Said her son, who is in his 50s and wanted to be known only as Mr Foo: ‘We’ve been waiting for this. It makes a lot of difference for my mum because it’s now more convenient and safe for her.’
The station, which has only one lift from the station floor to the train platform, was built in 1988. Before enhancements were made, there was only a ramp to the nearest taxi stand.

Madam Woon Eng Say said the new facilities would benefit not only the elderly, but also those with children. ‘I found it a struggle to pull my nephew’s stroller up the stairs on my own,’ said the 49-year-old, who baby-sits her nephew.

Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC Lee Bee Wah told reporters yesterday that residents had asked for the facilities many times.

Already, more than half of the flats in the Nee Soon South division are outfitted with barrier-free access facilities.

Ms Lee, who is also adviser to Nee Soon South grassroots organisations, said the next step would be to explore the feasibility of having a lift installed at the overhead bridge spanning Yishun Avenue 2.

The additional features at the Khatib station are part of the Land Transport Authority’s islandwide programme to make pedestrian walkways, access to MRT stations, taxi and bus shelters as well as public roads barrier-free.

The $60 million programme, which began in December 2006, is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

Currently, all MRT stations have at least one entrance fitted with a lift and a barrier-free route.

Source, Straits Times 31 Aug 2009

BUKIT Panjang residents were given reason to hope yesterday that their existing bus interchange could be moved closer to an upcoming MRT station.

They were told that the authorities were considering the suggestion put up by three MPs, whose residents are affected by the planned siting of the Downtown Line MRT station expected to open in 2015.

They had pointed out that transfers would be inconvenient as the MRT station will be sited about 120m from the existing Bukit Panjang LRT and bus interchange.

The MPs’ proposal would reduce the distance between the LRT and the MRT station to 70m, said Bukit Panjang MP Teo Ho Pin at a dialogue with residents in his ward.

Residents can cut through the bus interchange to get to either station, making it very convenient for them, he added.

Currently, the plot of land between the LRT station and the upcoming MRT station is empty.
Dr Teo as well as Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MPs Vivian Balakrishnan and Liang Eng Hwa have had two meetings with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to discuss the proposal.

Dr Balakrishnan is also the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.

The issue was first raised last year and yesterday, Transport Minister Raymond Lim, who was holding a dialogue after his visit to the ward, assured residents that the matter was under consideration.

Said Mr Lim: ‘We are working closely with the other agencies to see how best to integrate the three: the bus interchange, the LRT and the MRT.’

Previously, the LTA had explained that the MRT station could not be moved next to the LRT station owing to technical constraints.

The underground Downtown line is not able to swing sharply to meet the LRT station and return again to Woodlands Road in such a short distance.

Bukit Panjang residents like Ms Lim Ai Kheng, 43, are pleased that the authorities are looking into the suggestion.

‘I really hope it can be achieved,’ said the architectural assistant.

The Downtown Line station, with four exits, will also provide residents with a quick underground link to places like the Sri Murugan Hill Temple.

Devotees who worship at the temple, which is opposite the Bukit Panjang LRT station, will no longer need to take an overhead bridge to get to it.

They will be able reach the temple directly through an underpass from the MRT station.

Source, Straits Times, 31 Aug 2009

MEGASTORE shopping just got safer, easier and more convenient for Pasir Ris West residents, with a new overhead bridge that was officially opened yesterday.

The $3.5 million bridge, spanning 340m, links the 60,000 residents in 191 blocks to the trio of superstores – furniture store Ikea, hypermarket Giant and electronics store Courts – across the Tampines Expressway (TPE).

Residents had raised their concerns about safety and connectivity about two years ago when the stores were being constructed, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. He was the guest of honour at yesterday’s opening.

In order to get to the superstores, which see 80,000 or so visitors every week, residents had to make a long detour and cross a major intersection where cars turn out of or into the expressway – usually at high speed.

Even employees who work at the store sometimes complained about the inconvenience, said Ikea Tampines’ deputy store manager Lars Svensson.

‘They wanted to go over to Pasir Ris to eat meals, and you could see it (Pasir Ris) in clear sight across the road. But getting there was too difficult,’ he said.

So the area’s grassroots leaders, the Land Transport Authority and the stores worked together to make it happen.

Said Mr Teo: ‘Major roads like this one (the TPE) can divide communities…

‘With this bridge, residents get more convenience, without the congestion of the shops being in the middle of the town.’

He added that it was part of a larger plan to improve services and connectivity for Pasir Ris residents. Other recent improvements included bicycle tracks and pathways in the housing estate.

A pedestrian crossing within the shopping district was also officially opened at the same event yesterday.

Source: Today, 24 Aug 2009

TUNNELLING work for the Circle Line may have been completed yesterday, but motorists will have to put up with road diversions along Farrer Road until the end of next year.

When normal traffic is fully restored, the dual carriageway three-lane road will also have an extra lane added each way, said Land Transport Authority (LTA) deputy chief executive Lim Bok Ngam yesterday.

For the last few years, motorists have had to navigate the twists and turns of the road while the underground train station was being built.

Traffic also slowed down to a crawl during rush hour.

The LTA said that it will take some time for the road to be reinstated.

This is to allow for the building of new drains, the removal of tunnelling equipment and the demolition of temporary underground retaining walls.

Farrer Road resident Annie Low, 42, an accountant, battles traffic jams daily on her 30-minute drive to work at Dhoby Ghaut.

‘I’m really glad the station will be opened soon. Once that happens, I will probably sell my car and take the train to work,’ said Madam Low.

Farrer Road will be among the last few stretches of road affected by Circle Line construction to be reinstated, together with the junction around Holland Village.

Road realignments for the rest of the orbital line are all complete, except for one stretch of Paya Lebar Road, said an LTA spokesman.

This stretch, from Geylang Road to Jalan Afifi, will be widened and realigned by the end of this year, she added.

Source: Straits Times, 18 Aug 2009

Tunnelling completed, and parts of line to city could open by mid-2010

THE good news is that stages of the new Circle Line that lead to downtown Singapore could open by the second quarter of next year, with the entire 33.3km, 29-station project ready by early-2011.

But the not-so-good news is that the project, which started in 2002, could cost taxpayers close to $10 billion, or 50 per cent more than the original $6.7 billion bill.

Sources close to the underground construction project – long delayed after a tunnelling accident in 2004 – said that Stages 1 and 2 of the line could open by early next year.

This stretch, with 11 stations, goes from Paya Lebar to Dhoby Ghaut via Suntec.

And Stages 4 and 5 – the north and western portions – could be ready by end next year or early-2011.

Already in service is Stage 3, consisting of five stations from Bartley to Marymount. It opened for service on May 28, but ridership has been low, hovering in the low 30,000s, well below the 45,000 to 55,000 expected. Analysts say this is unlikely to improve until the rest of the line opens.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) would not be specific about when the other stages would open, beyond saying ‘remaining stations are expected to commence progressively from 2010′.

It said Stages 1 and 2 stations which have attained temporary occupation permit (TOP) status are Dhoby Ghaut, Bras Basah, Esplanade, Promenade and Tai Seng, signalling that they have cleared all building and safety inspections, and are ready to be handed over to operator SMRT Corp.

Other stations like Nicoll Highway, Stadium, MacPherson, Paya Lebar, Dakota and Mountbatten are expected to get TOP by the end of this year.

At a ceremony to mark the completion of tunnelling works yesterday, LTA chief executive Yam Ah Mee said the dates for when the rest of the line would open were still fluid. He said that remaining tracks had to be laid, electrical and mechanical works completed, and testing and commissioning done with operator SMRT.

Currently, 76 per cent of the tracks have been laid; and 97 per cent of electrical and mechanical works are done.

Yesterday’s tunnel breakthrough ceremony marked the completion of the toughest part of construction.

The last bit of tunnelling was completed near the Farrer station. The LTA had expected tunnels in the western loop of the line to be completed last, but it has turned out that Farrer was the most challenging because of the mixed soil conditions underground.

‘Granite, clay…you name it, we had it,’ LTA Circle Line director Ow Chun Nam said.

Construction was also made more challenging by water seepage. Despite building retaining walls that were 1.2m thick – among the thickest anywhere – water had found its way into the tunnel.

Station walls were also marked by several patch lines where workers did grouting, engineering process where concrete material is pumped into leak points at high pressure to seal them.

Still, the tunnel floor was visibly wet. Mr Ow said he was confident that the leaks would be contained when construction is fully completed.

The LTA would not comment on how much the line would cost.

‘Works are still in progress, and it’s a bit too early to tell,’ said Mr Yam, when asked for an estimate of the cost increase.

The original budget of $6.7 billion was busted after a tunnel near Nicoll Highway collapsed in 2004, killing four workers. Since then, all underground works had to be made far more robust, thus pushing costs up. One station, Dakota in the Guillemard area, had to be rebuilt altogether as a result.

Then, the cost of raw materials such as sand, concrete and steel started to spiral from 2007.

This led one builder, Sweden’s NCC International, to throw in the towel. The company has just completed an arbitration – a closed-door dispute-settlement process – with the LTA after it stopped work at the MacPherson and Tai Seng stations. The Straits Times understands that one other Circle Line contractor was close to going for arbitration.

‘Almost all the cost issues have been settled,’ said a major builder yesterday.

One former senior LTA executive estimated the cost of the entire project to reach around $10 billion.

Source: Straits Times, 18 Aug 2009

To be completed in 2015, it is the second phase of the Downtown Line

WORK started yesterday on the second phase of the Downtown Line (DTL2), which will take commuters through the Bukit Timah corridor to the city centre.

When completed in 2015, the 16.6km long DTL2 will give Bukit Panjang and Bukit Timah residents a direct rail link to the Central Business District (CBD) and Marina Bay.

More than 30 schools with about 60,000 students in all – including Hwa Chong Institution and National Junior College – will also benefit as train stations open near them.

Transport Minister Raymond Lim said at the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday: ‘Those who live, work and go to school in this area will enjoy a completely new way to travel, with convenient connections to every part of the city.’

A dozen stations will be strung out along DTL2, which will start in Bukit Panjang, pass through Bukit Timah and run to Rochor. There, it will link up to the first phase of the Downtown Line, which loops around Marina Bay and the CBD.

Those living and working in Bukit Timah are looking forward to having an MRT station open near them.

Mr Low Meng Hai, the 59-year-old chairman of the Beauty World Merchants Association, said with a laugh: ‘I might sell my car when the new line opens!’

Madam Ong Guat Ngo, 62, who lives in Jalan Jurong Kechil, is pleased that the upcoming Beauty World station will be a stone’s throw from her home.

The retiree now relies on buses to get around. A journey to People’s Park Centre in Chinatown takes her 1-1/2 hours by bus, including waiting time.

When the DTL2 opens, she will take only 40 minutes – less than half the time.

Sections of Upper Bukit Timah Road will be diverted from as early as the fourth quarter of this year; extensive diversions are also expected in Rochor.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) stressed that the capacity of the roads will not drop significantly because there will be a lane-for-lane replacement in the diverted roads.

The LTA will award four more civil contracts for the DTL2 by September. Six, worth $2.6 billion in all, have been awarded so far.

LTA chief executive Yam Ah Mee said the entire Downtown Line, projected to cost $12 billion, is within budget. Almost $6 billion in contracts have been awarded so far.

Tendering of civil contracts for the third and final phase of the line begins next year. Due for completion in 2016, this section will thread through eastern Singapore, ending at Expo.

Source: Business Times, 4 July 2009