SINGAPORE – The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will impose stringent control on the works being carried out for the new Canberra MRT station along the North-South Line.
According to a statement by LTA, the authority will coordinate with SMRT for access to the work area as the new station will be built on an existing rail line, which could increase safety risk.
LTA announced that there will be “detailed risk assessments of every construction activity and the appropriate safety measures must be taken”. Critical works next to the existing tracks will also be confined to three to four hours when trains are not running.
“A temporary protection enclosure will be erected to cover and protect the existing railway tracks and trains at the site of the new station. In addition, a full scale mock-up of the station column and roof will be installed off-site for LTA to determine the safest and most effective way to carry out the actual construction onsite,” the statement said.
Located between Sembawang and Yishun stations and along Canberra Link, the new station will cater to commuters living in nearby estates such as Sembawang Springs, as well as upcoming residential developments in the neighbourhood.
Canberra station will be opened in 2019. Travelling time will also be cut down by ten minutes for commuters travelling towards the city or Jurong East, according to LTA.
The new station will have five entrances, with one connected to the new housing estates across Canberra Link. There will also be an elevated link bridge that will be built.
Covered linkways to bus stops, pick-up and drop-off points as well as bicycle parks will be available too.
stephluo@sph.com.sg
