Infrastructure & development — Topics

7 Oct 2019

Progress of Upgrading Works for Bukit Panjang LRT System

Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that the Bukit Panjang LRT renewal is on track, with a contract awarded to Bombardier in March 2018 to replace signalling, trains, and power rails, and install new monitoring systems.
The project is progressing with design work mostly complete, software testing started overseas, and hardware installation ongoing since April 2019, with further engineering hours needed as testing ramps up.
To reduce commuter inconvenience, the LRT now closes earlier at 11.30 pm since January 2019, with bus services extended to maintain connectivity.
SMRT has intensified maintenance on the legacy system, but ageing assets limit reliability, leading to studies on reducing off-peak LRT services in favor of buses during the transition.
The upgrade is expected to be completed by 2022, delivering smoother and more reliable rides with the new CBTC signalling system and improved trains.

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7 Oct 2019

Skybridges to Connect Flats without Lifts on Their Floor

Gan Thiam Poh asked if HDB could use skybridges to connect flats without lifts on their floor to the next available lift when direct lift upgrades are not feasible.
Lawrence Wong explained that the Lift Upgrading Programme has provided direct lift access to most of the original 5,300 blocks, with about 150 blocks still facing constraints like high cost or technical issues.
Skybridges would require extensive structural work and be very expensive, so HDB will study the idea carefully while continuing to explore cost-effective solutions for the remaining blocks.
Residents with urgent medical or mobility needs can approach HDB for case-specific assistance to obtain direct lift access.

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7 Oct 2019

Security Bollards to Prevent Vehicles from Ploughing into Bus Stops

Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry would consider constructing safety bollards at all bus stops to protect against vehicles while allowing wheelchair access.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that the Land Transport Authority already builds safety bollards at all bus stops where site conditions permit, covering 98% of bus stops.
The bollards are designed to allow wheelchair users to board and alight safely at bus stops.

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7 Oct 2019

Increase Ridership of Public Transport

The Minister reported that the peak-period Walk-Cycle-Ride mode share increased from 69% in 2012 to 72% today, with plans to reach 90% by 2040 under the Land Transport Master Plan.
Strategies to boost ridership include enhancing the public transport network, improving bus speeds via Transit Priority Corridors, and further expanding rail connectivity.
The plan also focuses on expanding the active mobility network, tripling the cycling network for better first-and-last mile connectivity, and enhancing safety through public education and enforcement.

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3 Sep 2019

Former School Sites Returned to Singapore Land Authority in Past 10 Years

Over the past 10 years, 30 former school sites have been returned to the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), with four more in the process of being returned.
Of the 30 sites returned, eight have been demolished and redeveloped, and 12 have been repurposed for other uses such as special education schools, childcare centres, and homes for the elderly.
The Ministry of Education currently holds about 25 former school sites, mainly used or planned for interim school housing during upgrades or pending development for other purposes.

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3 Sep 2019

Investment in Amaravati City Following Change in Stance of government of India

Leon Perera asked if the Singapore government would continue encouraging investment in the Amaravati city project after the Indian government changed its stance on funding.
The minister confirmed that a Singapore consortium was initially selected to develop Amaravati through a joint venture, but the new state government is reviewing the project and Indian support has been withdrawn.
The minister stated that detailed investment figures are commercially confidential and that the Singapore government has not provided any subsidies or grants for the project.

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3 Sep 2019

Tapping Past Reserves for Land Reclamation Works

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira questioned how past reserves would be used for land reclamation in climate change measures and the roles of the President and Parliament.
The Second Minister for Finance explained that land reclamation costs can be funded from past reserves, which is a conversion of assets to state land, not a drawdown, and involves annual parliamentary approval.
The Minister clarified that this approach is already in place under the Reserves Protection Framework, with the President involved in oversight.
Assoc Prof Theseira sought confirmation that reclamation costs would consistently come from past reserves without affecting current taxes, which the Minister affirmed as the current policy.

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2 Sep 2019

Number of Lifts Built at Pedestrian Overhead Bridges Near MRT Stations

Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for Transport about the number of lifts at pedestrian overhead bridges near MRT stations and whether a lift could be added at the POB near Block 350 Jurong East Avenue 1.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that the Land Transport Authority has installed lifts at 47 POBs, with 20 near major MRT stations and the rest near amenities like bus interchanges and healthcare institutions.
The lift retrofitting programme will be expanded to include about 50 more POBs, specifically mentioning the POB near Block 350 Jurong East Avenue 1.

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2 Sep 2019

Bus Shelter Advertisement Boards Causing Blind Spots Leading to Accidents Between Pedestrians and Personal Mobility Device Users or Cyclists

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong raised a concern about bus shelter advertisement boards creating blind spots that may lead to accidents involving pedestrians, personal mobility device users, and cyclists.
The Land Transport Authority stated it considers safety in placing advertisement panels and ensures they do not obstruct the views of commuters, path, and road users.
LTA advised cyclists and PMD users to ride behind bus stops where possible and is building cycling paths and widening footpaths behind busy bus stops.
LTA continues to promote safe riding practices through public education campaigns, such as reminding users to slow down when approaching bus stops.

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2 Sep 2019

Singapore as Thought-and-industry Leader on Solutions to Tackle Effects of Climate Change

Christopher de Souza asked if Singapore can lead globally in climate solutions and how polder spaces could be used for work, live, and play areas.
Masagos Zulkifli emphasized robust climate science through the Centre for Climate Research Singapore and a new $10 million National Sea Level Research Programme.
Singapore is piloting polder projects with the Dutch model, with lessons to guide future coastal protection strategies.
The government is driving innovation with industry and academia to turn climate challenges into opportunities, while implementing domestic mitigation measures.
Collective effort from all Singaporeans is needed to ensure a sustainable future and credibility in global climate agreements.

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6 Aug 2019

Findings from Project to Measure Singapore’s Carbon Footprint

The five-year study from 2013 to 2018 by the National Parks Board found that Singapore's Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry sector accounts for about 0.1% of net greenhouse gas emissions, with nature reserves and urban trees serving as key carbon sinks.
The carbon tax of $5 per tonne, effective January this year, covers about 80% of Singapore’s greenhouse gas emissions and is intended as an economy-wide price signal to incentivize reductions, with the government prepared to spend more than the estimated $1 billion collected over five years to support industry transition.
The carbon footprint of Changi Terminal 5 has not yet been determined as it remains in the design stage, but solutions to improve its energy efficiency are being explored by Changi Airport Group and its consultants.

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6 Aug 2019

Achieving Goal of 80% Green Mark Buildings by 2030

The government confirmed that 40% of Singapore’s gross floor area is currently greened and is aiming for the 80% Green Mark target by 2030, with existing regulations requiring new projects and major retrofits to meet sustainability standards.
To boost private sector uptake, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) offers financing schemes tied to energy savings, and the Green Mark Scheme encourages solar PV adoption while recognizing physical constraints for some buildings.
The BCA continuously updates its Green Mark criteria to include energy efficiency, water use, sustainable operations, and indoor environmental quality, and requires air-conditioning temperatures to be set between 23–25°C in compliant buildings.

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5 Aug 2019

Amount of Food Waste Generated in 2018 and Progress on Its Segregation and Treatment

In 2018, Singapore generated 763,000 tonnes of food waste, half from residential households and the remainder from sources like food manufacturers, hotels, shopping malls, and hawker centres, with the NEA not tracking specific amounts by sector.
Food waste segregation and treatment for households is voluntary, with a pilot in Tampines GreenLace collecting over 4000 kg in three months and now extended, while for commercial and industrial premises, 23 sites have on-site treatment systems and another 23 segregate waste for treatment at Ulu Pandan Water Reclamation Facility.
The Ministry will require large-scale commercial and industrial premises to segregate food waste for treatment from 2024, and new developments expected to generate large amounts must allocate space for on-site treatment from 2021, to be enforced through the Resource Sustainability Bill.

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5 Aug 2019

Plans for More Bus Lanes to Facilitate Safer and Smoother Bus Journeys

The government currently has 211 kilometres of bus lanes and plans to build more to improve bus journeys.
New Transit Priority Corridors, like the first at Bencoolen Street and the upcoming North-South Corridor, aim to save passengers up to 15 minutes in travel time.
Additional measures include an enhanced traffic light system for bus priority and trials of three-door buses to speed up boarding.
These initiatives collectively target safer and smoother bus travel across Singapore.

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5 Aug 2019

Updates on Footpath Widening Projects to Accommodate Pedestrians and PMD Users

Ms Rahayu Mahzam inquired about the status and completion dates of existing footpath widening projects in housing estates, as well as plans and timelines for further upgrades to safely accommodate pedestrians and PMD users.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that the question was addressed in a prior Ministerial Statement on Personal Mobility Devices delivered on 5 August 2019.
The debate highlighted the government's focus on updating footpath infrastructure in response to the increasing use of PMDs in housing estates.

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5 Aug 2019

New Measures to Reduce Impact of Loud Traffic Noises on Residential Housing Situated Near Expressways

The Land Transport Authority has completed trials on noise barriers and low noise pavement mix to reduce traffic noise for residents near expressways and plans to roll out these measures progressively.
Implementation will consider site-specific conditions and cost-effectiveness, with noise barriers not suitable where they may obstruct motorists’ view.
The Ministry will continue exploring with other agencies new measures to mitigate traffic noise and improve residents’ quality of living.

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5 Aug 2019

Plans to Reduce Negative Impact of Climate Change on Older HDB Flats

Chong Kee Hiong asked whether new technologies from HDB's research collaborations with Evonik and V-Key could be adapted for older flats or what plans exist to reduce climate change impacts if retrofitting is not viable.
Lawrence Wong responded that the collaborations are in early stages, and if viable, HDB will explore incorporating the technologies into new designs and potentially retrofitting existing blocks, considering technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
HDB has already implemented measures like optimizing natural ventilation, orienting blocks to reduce heat gain, and increasing greenery to ensure comfortable living environments.
HDB will continue studying ways to mitigate climate change impacts on flats, with a focus on both new and existing HDB blocks.
The response emphasizes a balanced approach of exploring new technologies while maintaining current measures, without committing to specific timelines for older flat replacements.

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5 Aug 2019

Review of Criteria for Building Lifts at Overhead Bridges Given Ageing Population

Joan Pereira questioned whether the criteria for installing lifts at overhead bridges should be reviewed to better support an ageing population with mobility challenges.
Khaw Boon Wan noted that 47 bridges have received lifts in the past five years, with plans to add 50 more by 2022.
He emphasized the high cost of lifts (up to $4 million per pair) and the need for prudent prioritization, focusing on locations like public transport hubs and healthcare institutions that most benefit seniors and those with mobility issues.

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5 Aug 2019

Use of Solar Panels and Solar Power by Households

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Trade and Industry about the number of households with solar panels, their contribution to the national grid, and the resulting carbon emission reduction, as well as the status of a blockchain-enabled platform for selling renewable energy and its potential extension to the open market.
Minister Chan Chun Sing reported about 950 private residential and over 1,400 HDB rooftop solar installations, contributing 0.16% of electricity generation and reducing carbon emissions by 35 kilotonnes annually, with a blockchain REC Marketplace launched for businesses and plans to extend it to households later.
The government is encouraging solar adoption through simplified grid sales processes, commercial arrangements with retailers, and HDB tenders for over 5,500 blocks, actively working to maximize solar energy use given Singapore's land constraints and geographic conditions.

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5 Aug 2019

Personal Mobility Devices

The Ministry of Transport announced stricter safety measures for PMDs, including advancing the mandatory UL2272 fire safety certification deadline to July 2020 and introducing a mandatory inspection regime from April 2020, while providing support for users to switch to compliant devices.
To enhance path safety, the government will expand cycling infrastructure, designate pedestrian-only zones in town centers, implement school zone markings, and increase enforcement resources and the use of technology like mobile CCTV to deter errant riding.
The government will not ban PMDs, citing their benefits for mobility and livelihoods, but will continue public education and work with insurers and delivery companies to provide third-party liability coverage, while urging responsible usage and safe charging practices.

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