North-South Corridor delay: Major works causing noise and dust to be completed by end-2027

The completion dates for the North-South Corridor (NSC) have been pushed back by about two years, but residents living near construction sites can expect some relief from noise and dust from next year.

Responding to questions about the impact of the NSC's two-year delay, Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said in Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 6) that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been instructed to prioritise surface works.

The major structural works that generate the most noise and dust are expected to be completed by the end of 2027, while roads, footpaths and other affected spaces will be progressively reinstated from 2028, said Siow.

"The North-South Corridor is one of the most complex road projects we have undertaken in Singapore. It passes through densely built-up areas, including homes and older buildings, and bypasses major utilities, heavily used roads and even MRT lines," he explained.

As excavation progressed, actual conditions at several sites were found to be different and more difficult than indicated by pre-construction investigations.

At Gambas Avenue and Woodlands Avenue 8 for example, harder rock was found at shallower depths than expected, while fractured rock and groundwater seeping through cracks were encountered at Novena.

More direct walking routes to shops, F&B outlets

In the meantime, the authority will try to introduce more direct walking routes to shops and F&B establishments along the construction corridor, Siow said.

"LTA has installed signs and banners to help guide customers to affected businesses," Siow said.

He added that LTA and its contractors tried to add additional manpower and equipment, change construction methods and adjust the sequence of works to make up time.

However, engineers assessed that further attempts to compress the construction schedule under the known ground conditions would introduce significant safety risks.

Siow said safety would not be compromised in an attempt to recover lost time.

LTA monitors the ground, groundwater and nearby buildings and structures using instruments including sensors that can detect vibrations, cracks and tilts.

"We will do everything in our power to ease the friction on the ground," he added, while asking for patience as engineers and workers complete the remaining works safely.

No direction compensation to affected businesses: Siow

Separately, the Government, said Siow, will not give direct compensation to residents and businesses affected by delays to the NSC.

However, several businesses operating from HDB rental shops that have been most affected by the construction have been receiving rental rebates, and HDB will continue extending these where there are grounds to do so.

Siow acknowledged that the revised timeline has caused frustration among residents and businesses that have already endured prolonged construction.

"For residents, it means more noise, dust and general inconvenience at home," Siow said. "For businesses, it has affected customer traffic."

The minister also acknowledged that motorists and commuters have also faced road diversions, congestion and longer journeys.

Siow said the Government's general position is that it does not compensate stakeholders for project delays.

"Doing so would add significant costs upfront to these projects, because we would have to insure against multiple unknown scenarios," Siow explained.

However, he noted that LTA will work with local advisers to engage residents and businesses as construction progresses and consider practical measures to improve conditions on the ground.

asyiqin.nadzri@asiaone.com

南北走廊 (NSC) 的竣工日期被推迟了大约两年，但住在建筑工地附近的居民有望从明年开始免受噪音和灰尘的困扰。

针对国家安全委员会延期两年的影响，交通部长萧正非周二（10月6日）在国会表示，已指示陆路交通管理局优先进行地面工程。

萧先生表示，产生噪音和灰尘最多的重大结构工程预计将于 2027 年底完成，而道路、人行道和其他受影响的空间将从 2028 年开始逐步恢复。

他解释说：“南北走廊是我们在新加坡实施的最复杂的道路项目之一。它穿过人口稠密的建成区，包括住宅区和老旧建筑，并绕过主要公用设施、繁忙的道路，甚至地铁线路。”

随着挖掘工作的进行，人们发现几个工地的实际情况与施工前的调查结果有所不同，而且更加困难。

例如，在甘巴斯大道和兀兰大道 8 号，人们发现较浅的深度就发现了较硬的岩石；而在诺维娜，人们则遇到了断裂的岩石和从裂缝中渗出的地下水。

更多直达商店和餐饮场所的步行路线

萧先生表示，与此同时，有关部门将努力在施工走廊沿线开辟更多通往商店和餐饮场所的直接步行路线。

“陆路交通管理局已安装指示牌和横幅，以帮助引导顾客前往受影响的商家，”萧先生说。

他还补充说，陆路交通管理局及其承包商试图增加人力和设备，改变施工方法，并调整工程顺序以弥补工期延误。

然而，工程师们评估认为，在已知的地质条件下，进一步压缩施工进度将会带来重大的安全风险。

Siow表示，为了弥补损失的时间，安全不会受到损害。

LTA 使用包括可检测振动、裂缝和倾斜的传感器在内的仪器来监测地面、地下水以及附近的建筑物和构筑物。

“我们将尽一切努力缓解现场摩擦，”他补充道，同时请求大家保持耐心，等待工程师和工人们安全地完成剩余的工作。

不向受影响企业提供直接补偿：Siow

萧先生还表示，政府不会直接向因国家安全委员会延期而受到影响的居民和企业提供补偿。

然而，受施工影响最大的几家在组屋租赁店铺经营的商户已经获得了租金回扣，建屋发展局将在有理由的情况下继续延长这些回扣。

Siow承认，修改后的时间表引起了居民和企业的不满，他们已经忍受了漫长的施工期。

“对居民来说，这意味着更多的噪音、灰尘和居家生活中的各种不便，”萧先生说。“对商家来说，这影响了客流量。”

部长还承认，驾车者和通勤者也面临着道路改道、交通拥堵和行程延长的问题。

萧先生表示，政府的一般立场是，不会就项目延误向利益相关者进行补偿。

“这样做会给这些项目增加大量的前期成本，因为我们必须为多种未知情况投保，”Siow解释说。

但他指出，陆路交通管理局将与当地顾问合作，随着建设的推进与居民和企业进行沟通，并考虑采取切实可行的措施来改善当地情况。

asyiqin.nadzri@asiaone.com