[Edited] Assignment 2: LTA Impact Study - Final Draft (Summary & Reader Response)

In the article, “Feasible for Cross Island MRT Line to run under Central Catchment or skirt around it: LTA impact study” Toh (2019) mentioned that there are two alternatives of how the upcoming “MRT line” would be constructed. Based on LTA’s statement, both train lines configurations are practical and the effect on the residents would be minimal. “Skirting alignment” has a high amount of risk and it would cost the government a hefty sum of money. Although the construction standards was met, it required more land space and longer traveling time among stations. On the other hand, “direct alignment” only requires 5 minutes between stations. However, the construction work will affect the residents and it will ruin the environment around the area. LTA claimed that they would do everything they can to reduce the impact on the environment.

 

The article addresses the feasibility of constructing different alignments tunnelling options. However, LTA did not mention details of the measures that would be implemented to skirting and direct alignment to reduce the impact on the residents living in the Thomson area. In my opinion, both options are feasible, however, the lack of information might cause insecurity and discomfort to the residents.

 

Firstly, LTA did not include details of the measures that it plans to implement to affected residents in the neighbourhood. Although LTA took into consideration the nature group’s feedback, but no one really knows if the feedback would play a role in this project as the members of the public were not informed of any measures. In my opinion, this is extremely important as some residents who had lived at Thomson area for many years would have developed some sort of feelings or attachments to the neighbourhood. In the article ‘LTA speaking to those likely to be affected by Cross Island Line’s route’, MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC stated: “It's more about the families, the memories that they have grown up with. The emotional attachment is difficult for them to break.” The sense of home will never be the same after the construction works.

 

Secondly, after 3 years of research and investigations for Cross Island Line (CRL), LTA did not talk about the details of the solutions in the article which would affect the residence point of view of LTA. The article on LTA’s webpage was published back in June 2016, the writer mentioned different mitigation measures for the upcoming construction of the Cross-Island Line. However, in the 2019 Straits Times article, the writer did not mention anything about the measures implemented. In my opinion, since the measures were out, there is no reason why LTA had to hide this piece of information from the public. It could openly state in the news article to avoid any suspicion going around.

 

Lastly, in the last article addressing on CRL, LTA did not bring up mitigation measures. The entire write-up was talking about the benefits that the future upcoming lines able to provide the commuters. With all the convenience and time saved for the commuters, it is equally important to address the different solutions to the problems. In my opinion, the writer mentioned only the benefits of the upcoming CRL and failed to point out what are some of the impacts the construction would bring to the residents living in Thomson area. If I am a resident in the neighbourhood, I would prefer LTA step out and talk about some issues which could be expected during the entire construction period and perhaps some solutions that would be taken place.

 

Despite all the benefits mentioned by Toh, LTA should share with the public the measures that they planned to implement to minimize the impact on the residents. With that, LTA would be able to gain trust from the residents and it provides a sense of safety and security to the public.

 

References

(2016, June 8) Site Investigations to Study Two Alignment Options for the CRL. Land Transport Authority. https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2016/6/2/site-investigations-to-study-two-alignment-options-for-the-crl.html

 

Toh, T. W. (2019, December 5). Cross Island Line will improve connectivity across island. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/crl-will-improve-connectivity-across-island

 

Yeo, K. T. (2016, February 18). LTA speaking to those likely to be affected by Cross Island Line’s route. Channelnewsasia. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/lta-speaking-to-those-likely-to-be-affected-by-cross-island-line-8171214