Infrastructure & development — Topics

13 Sep 2016

Covered Linkways as a Compulsory Feature in All New HDB Developments

The Minister for National Development confirmed that HDB already incorporates covered linkways as a standard feature in new public housing developments, connecting residential blocks to nearby bus stops and other precinct amenities.
New connectivity features in upcoming developments like Punggol North, Tampines North, and Bidadari will include enhanced pedestrian walkways with landscaping and routes lined with shops and social facilities.
For existing estates, connectivity upgrades such as new walkways, covered linkways, cycling and park connectors are being implemented through rejuvenation programmes like the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme and Remaking Our Heartland to improve first- and last-mile journeys.

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13 Sep 2016

Criteria Used in Determining Location, Nature and Length of MRT Noise Barriers

Leon Perera asked the Ministry for Transport about the criteria for determining MRT noise barrier location, nature, and length, and whether barriers could be extended to fully cover residential areas near tracks.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that the Land Transport Authority prioritizes installing noise barriers along elevated MRT tracks where noise levels in adjacent residential developments exceed the NEA's recommended threshold of 67 decibels averaged over an hour.
The response did not directly address the second part of the question regarding extending barriers to fully cover residential areas, focusing instead on the existing noise threshold criterion.

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13 Sep 2016

Complaints of Foul Smell during Rubbish Collections

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked about resident complaints on foul smells during rubbish chute collections, the resolution of such complaints, and plans to introduce the Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System (PWCS) to Sembawang GRC.
Lawrence Wong stated that HDB has not received any such complaints over the past three years and that Town Councils manage rubbish chutes, regularly cleaning them and covering bins during transport to minimise odours.
HDB has implemented PWCS in selected new developments like Tampines North and Punggol, and will study its feasibility for other new estates.
For existing estates, PWCS is challenging and costly due to extensive excavation work, and HDB will assess the Yuhua test-bed results before deciding on broader rollout.

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13 Sep 2016

Rationale for Alternative Ownership Model for Changi Airport Terminal 5

The Ministry of Transport is exploring alternative ownership models for Terminal 5 to maintain Changi Airport's long-term competitiveness, given its massive scale and the need for a different approach compared to existing terminals.
The study will consider models where airport operation and ownership are separate, similar to some leading international airports, but will not adopt a public-private partnership model for co-development.
Lessons from the Sports Hub partnership will inform the review, and contingency plans are being considered should the selected ownership model prove ineffective.

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13 Sep 2016

Popularity of Pre-fabricated Construction in Building Industry

The take-up rate for prefabricated construction has risen, with public sector projects increasing from 30% to nearly 50% and private sector projects doubling from about 10% to 20% over three years.
Prefabricated methods like PPVC offer benefits such as significant manpower savings, shorter construction timelines, improved workmanship, and reduced disamenity to residents, as demonstrated by the Crowne Plaza Hotel Expansion project.
The Ministry is supporting the industry’s transition through a multi-pronged approach that includes generating demand via public projects, boosting supply capacity, easing regulatory hurdles, and providing incentives through the Construction Productivity and Capability Fund.

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13 Sep 2016

Reconstruction of Novena Pedestrian Underpasses

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about reconstruction options for the Novena pedestrian underpasses under the North-South Corridor project and whether improvements would be made for the elderly, disabled, and parents with strollers.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that the Land Transport Authority will reconstruct the underpasses to connect Goldhill Centre, Novena MRT Station, Revenue House, and Novena Square, improving connectivity.
He added that lifts will be installed at the entrances and exits of the reconstructed underpasses to enhance accessibility.

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13 Sep 2016

Solar Panels for Commercial and Residential Buildings

Leon Perera proposed making solar panels mandatory for commercial and residential buildings with limited exceptions, while the Minister explained that competing uses for rooftop space, cost-effectiveness concerns, and shading issues make a blanket mandate impractical, so the government is instead leading by example with targeted deployment and Green Mark incentives.
The Minister outlined plans to reach 350 MWp of solar capacity by 2020 via demand aggregation across public buildings, including 5,000 HDB blocks and 100 government structures, and noted about 20 MWp are already scheduled for Green Mark projects.
Perera asked if the Ministry monitors international mandatory solar policies in cities like the U.S., India, and France to draw lessons, and the Minister confirmed they track global best practices but emphasized that current constraints limit solar's potential to only about 10% of national demand, arguing against a broad mandate.

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16 Aug 2016

Infrastructure Projects Planned Since Inception of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

The Minister confirmed that since its inception, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved its first four projects worth over US$500 million, including a motorway in Pakistan, a highway in Tajikistan, a slum upgrading project in Indonesia, and a power distribution system in Bangladesh.
The AIIB aims to lend up to US$1.2 billion for 5-10 projects in 2016 and double that in 2017, with a long-term strategy to crowd in private sector funding and expertise.
Local companies in Singapore can tap benefits by bidding for AIIB infrastructure projects or providing advisory services such as project structuring and urban planning.
Singapore's involvement as an AIIB member complements its role as an international financial centre and urban development hub, with long-term economic benefits for the region and Singapore.
By funding critical infrastructure across Asia, the AIIB is expected to boost regional economic competitiveness and vibrancy, creating more trade, investment, and business opportunities that will also benefit Singapore.

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16 Aug 2016

Impact of Healthcare Infrastructure Expansion Plans on Staff's Remuneration

K Thanaletchimi questioned how healthcare infrastructure expansion would be funded without affecting staff remuneration, given the risk of healthcare clusters using reserves to cover excess capacity costs.
Gan Kim Yong stated that the Ministry of Health fully funds development costs for healthcare infrastructure, including spare capacity for future expansion, to prevent impact on staff pay.
He added that spaces for future use are designed for interim productivity to minimize holding costs, and MOH will assist with separate funding if institutions face difficulties.

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16 Aug 2016

Plans for Highspeed Rail Project to Proceed without Delay and Losses

Dennis Tan asked if the government should be concerned about the Bandar Malaysia terminus being part of a 1MDB project given ongoing investigations, and what contingencies exist to prevent delays and losses.
Khaw Boon Wan clarified that under the MOU, Malaysia is solely responsible for funding, constructing, and maintaining the Bandar Malaysia terminus, with no involvement from Singapore.
He stated that a robust commercial framework and joint procurement approach have been established with Malaysia to ensure the project's financial viability and sustainability.
A bilateral committee will be formed to oversee cross-border aspects, ensure adherence to timelines, and minimise delays.

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16 Aug 2016

Next Batch of Noise Barriers for MRT Tracks

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah inquired about the timeline for LTA's next batch of noise barriers for MRT tracks and their installation in Nee Soon South constituency.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan responded that the tender for the next phase of the noise barrier programme is planned for the second half of this year.
The tender will include Nee Soon South constituency, with installation along Yishun Avenue 2 expected to start in 2019.

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15 Aug 2016

Building of Primary and Secondary Schools and Junior College in Fernvale in Sengkang

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether new primary, secondary, or junior college schools would be built in Fernvale, Sengkang, and the timeline for any such projects.
MOE stated that a new primary school is planned near the Kupang LRT station to serve the growing residential area, with construction expected to start soon and details to follow.
The ministry confirmed there are sufficient secondary school places in and around Fernvale, with six existing secondary schools in Sengkang and others nearby, so no new secondary school is planned.
MOE also indicated there are no plans to build a new junior college in Sengkang.
The response emphasized that school planning considers population trends and housing developments, but ensuring a school within a reasonable distance from every child’s home is not always possible due to efficiency and catchment requirements.

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15 Aug 2016

Conversion Criteria for Heavy Vehicle Parking Lots and Normal Parking Lots

The Minister explained that conversion of heavy vehicle parking lots to normal parking lots, or vice versa, is assessed based on the needs of each location, with an example of six heavy vehicle spaces converted in Changi Village in 2014 to address a shortage of regular car park spaces.
It was noted that there is adequate provision of heavy vehicle parking spaces in the Changi area, including available private spaces, with information on availability accessible via LTA's One-Motoring website.
The government's approach focuses on location-specific assessments rather than a fixed set of conversion criteria, ensuring parking supply matches demand.

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15 Aug 2016

Minimum Width of Footpaths for Safe Use by Pedestrians and Cyclists

Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Ministry for Transport to review minimum footpath widths to safely accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists and to clarify rules and enforcement for bicycles and personal mobility devices.
The Ministry noted that footpaths are typically 1.5 to 1.8 metres wide, with new ones at least 1.8 metres, and will widen existing paths where possible while expanding dedicated cycling paths in HDB towns.
The Government has accepted all recommendations from the Active Mobility Advisory Panel and will enact legislation by year-end, while increasing enforcement and education efforts in the meantime.

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15 Aug 2016

Making Bus Stops Friendly to Wheelchair Accessible Buses

In 2013, 169 bus stops were inaccessible to Wheelchair Accessible Buses, and as of the debate, 137 remain inaccessible, representing less than 3% of Singapore’s 4,700 bus stops.
The Land Transport Authority prioritizes conversions based on factors like site conditions and whether consecutive bus stops on the same road are inaccessible, with challenging cases sometimes requiring new footpaths or major infrastructure work.
The target is to upgrade all remaining inaccessible bus stops by 2020, with no specific deadline mentioned beyond this timeframe.

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15 Aug 2016

Building of Additional MRT station between Chua Chu Kang and Bukit Gombak MRT Stations

Zaqy Mohamad inquired about the feasibility of building an additional MRT station between Chua Chu Kang and Bukit Gombak to serve upcoming BTO units and Tengah Town, and asked about technical and cost considerations.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that current ridership projections are insufficient to justify a new station, but the Ministry will continue monitoring the area for future reconsideration.
He added that new bus services have been introduced to meet current resident needs and that bus capacity will be increased as necessary.

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15 Aug 2016

Enhancing Last-mile Connectivity with Shelters to Link Commercial Buildings to MRT Stations and Bus Stops

Darryl David asked the Minister for Transport about additional measures to improve last-mile connectivity through shelters linking commercial buildings to bus stops and MRT stations.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that 66 kilometres of sheltered walkways currently connect public transport nodes to key amenities, with 140 more kilometres being added under the Walk2Ride programme.
Starting 1 July 2016, private developers must submit a Walking and Cycling Plan when seeking planning permission, ensuring sheltered connections to bus stops and MRT stations are incorporated in building designs or redevelopments.

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15 Aug 2016

Construction of Portable Ramps at Entrances to Old HDB Flats

Mr Ang Hin Kee proposed renting portable ramps or retrofitting permanent ramps for older HDB flats with multi-step entrances, and decentralizing approval processes to local branches or CDCs.
Minister Lawrence Wong explained that older HDB flats were designed with steps for privacy and security, but solutions must be customised, avoid maintenance issues, and not obstruct fire escapes.
HDB is studying tailored solutions, considering expansion through EASE or other programmes, and exploring financial assistance for low-income families.
Residents can currently approach HDB branches for approvals to install private ramps, and financial aid may be available from welfare organisations or local advisers.

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15 Aug 2016

Lowering Threshold for Permissible Noise from Vehicles at Expressways near Residential Areas

Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Transport whether the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is ready to install noise barriers along expressways like BKE and KJE near Bukit Panjang housing and if the permissible noise threshold for vehicles near residences can be lowered.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that LTA's trial for noise barriers on roads will finish by year-end and, if effective, installation will be prioritised based on noise levels and proximity to housing.
He added that LTA follows National Environment Agency's noise standards, which are aligned with international norms.

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15 Aug 2016

Coordination of Works Required for Telephony, Gas and Utilities Supply Services under Estate Upgrading Programme

Dr Tan Wu Meng sought better coordination and faster execution of telephony, gas, and utility works under the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP).
Lawrence Wong stated that efforts are made to coordinate EUP works with other public projects, like PUB’s drainage upgrades, and that PUB engages residents and service providers to reduce disruptions.
He added that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) coordinates sequential road works by external providers to speed up projects and minimise road occupation and inconvenience.
The Building and Construction Authority/EUP consultant acts as overall coordinator, alerting relevant parties and managing overlapping works during EUP projects.
The Minister acknowledged that while inconvenience is minimized, some disruption to residents is unavoidable during works.

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