Ensuring Residential Liveability near Expressways and MRT Corridors in Long-Term Transport Expansion Plans

Written Reply to Parliamentary Question

Mr Jackson Lam asked the Acting Minister for Transport

a.          how long-term transport expansion plans account for residential liveability near expressways and MRT corridors;

b.          whether alternative alignments or design trade-offs are considered to reduce noise; and

c.           how is feedback from residents incorporated into planning decisions.

Reply by Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow:

1.          The alignment of future rail corridors and expressways considers the impact of such developments on residents, including noise levels. The plans account for sufficient buffer distance between residential developments and rail corridors, and incorporates noise mitigation measures such as noise barriers upfront into the design. These measures ensure that eventual noise levels are within the National Environment Agency’s noise guidelines. The Land Transport Authority also reviews feedback received from residents through public feedback channels as well as ground engagements to assess the adequacy of noise mitigation measures, including through taking noise measurements on the ground to determine actual noise levels, and considers further mitigation measures where needed.