Sustainable and resilient urban development has gained increasing attention to yield the “co-benefits” of public health and well-being. A country’s transportation infrastructure plays a key role in ensuring such benefits. The majority of people living and working in Singapore depend on public transport for their mobility. Therefore, building sustainable transport (including active and public transport) infrastructures is crucial. Recently, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) awarded a S$100.3 million contract for commuter infrastructure enhancement works at new MRT stations.
Singapore aims to achieve its vision for a reliable, people-centred land transport system by 2030. To achieve this vision, LTA is undertaking numerous projects to better connect people and places. LTA awarded the new contract to infrastructure and civil engineering company OKP Holdings. OKP will be involved in the design, submission, supervision, and construction of covered linkways and cycling paths at new MRT stations along the Thomson-East Coast Line, Circle Line 6 extension, North East Line extension, and Downtown Line.
Covered linkways and New Contract
Under the SGD 100.3 million contract, OKP will be constructing covered linkways to provide connections to MRT stations, residential areas, and amenities for the convenience of all commuters. The company will also install vertical and roof trellises as well as softscapes.
Other works under the new contract
• Priority Queue Zones (PQZ) will be built at existing Bus Interchanges, Integrated Transport Hubs, and Bus Terminals.
• 4-seater stainless steel benches will be built at existing Bus Interchanges.
OKP Holdings is expected to complete the contract by the 4th quarter of 2026.
Simultaneously, SMRT Trains and Thales are together developing next-generation rail signalling technologies. The project mainly focuses on lowering electricity consumption besides further improving the traction energy efficiency of the North-South and East-West lines (NSEWL).
SMRT and Thales will also study the potential uses of the new intelligent application to cut down the traction energy of the NSEW lines by 15%.
Commenting on the same, SMRT Chairman, Seah Moon Ming, said: “Through a strong partnership, sincere engagement, and efficient planning, we will continue to renew and re-engineer our railway infrastructure, train systems, and operations to achieve operational and service excellence.”
SMRT Chairman further added: “We will continue to strengthen our foundation to grow sustainably and responsibly. We will continue to collaborate, exercise financial discipline, and Kaizen new ways to improve our efficacy and efficiency as we deliver world-class services.”
Beyond this, LTA and industry stakeholders are also piloting new technologies and innovations to make commuting more convenient and streamlined. This will strengthen the connectivity and resilience of our land travel network by providing alternative travel routes by bus and rail.
Conclusion
The commuter infrastructure enhancement project is a part of the government's efforts to build more accessible commuter infrastructure to support growing neighbourhoods. The combined efforts of LTA, stakeholders, contractors and transport operators will help Singapore to improve connectivity to support a car-lite nation.
About the Author
Sheo-un Lee
Sheo-un is a senior transportation planning manager at a Germany-based company. He is responsible for establishing standards for train technologies' overall operation, productivity, efficiency, quality, and safety. His articles share his reviews and insights on public transportation in different countries. He enjoys painting in his free time.
