Debated in Parliament on 3 Oct 2022.
Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether LTA regulates the frequent digging and excavation of roads by contractors; (b) whether there is any supervision of the reinstatement of road surfaces after excavation works; and (c) what measures can be taken to ensure that road surfacing is properly carried out in order for a more comfortable ride for motorists.
This response will also address the question raised by Mr Leon Perera for the Sitting on or after 4 October 2022.
Roads are excavated for various reasons, such as for the laying of utilities and road maintenance. At the planning stage, the multi-agency Road Opening Coordination Committee (ROCC), which comprises Government agencies and utility services providers, meets monthly to coordinate planned road works over the next six-months, to minimise road excavations.
Subsequently, the work-commissioning agency must obtain a permit from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) before commencing works. The permit fee increases for each additional day required and is valid for a maximum of three weeks. This has helped to incentivise agencies to complete the road works expeditiously. As part of the permit approval, the work-commissioning agency is also required to reinstate roads to the standards in LTA's Code of Practice for Works on Public Streets. This includes the levelness of the reinstated road.
To ensure compliance, there are three layers of checks. First, contractors performing the works are required to engage qualified personnel to supervise the road reinstatement process. Second, the work-commissioning agency is required to ensure that the reinstatement works meet the requirements of the Code of Practice. As a third and final check, LTA also conducts ad-hoc audit checks.
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