They are dissatisfied with reasons given why closed tunnel is unfeasible
Neo Chai Chin Today Online 11 Apr 11;
SINGAPORE - Their proposal to extend the covered tunnel stretch of the future North-South Expressway (NSE) has been rejected by the Government, but residents of Nuovo executive condominium at Ang Mo Kio Ave 9 are not giving up just yet.
Concerned about the impact of noise and air pollution that the semi-tunnel stretch of the NSE would have on their families, residents renewed their call yesterday for a dialogue with several government bodies - namely, the Land Transport Authority, the Singapore Land Authority, the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Defence Ministry.
"We hope … they'll attend to each of our questions. We'll invite all Nuovo residents to come down. We are prepared to listen and we are reasonable people. We want to know they've made a decision after they've exhausted all alternatives," said Mr Cheong Choon Ghee, 40, who is part of a residents' focus group researching the impact of noise and motor exhaust from the NSE. The residents do not disagree with the NSE being for the "greater good of the nation", he added.
The NSE, expected to cost S$7 billion to S$8 billion, will link northern Singapore to the city centre by 2020.
Residents from three condominiums next to the planned NSE will be impacted by its construction, but those living in Nuovo will arguably be the worst-hit due to the property's proximity to the expressway, with a significant number of units facing it.
During a Parliament sitting on Feb 14, Transport Minister Raymond Lim explained to their Member of Parliament Lee Bee Wah why a closed tunnel was not feasible along the 800m stretch from Anderson Junior College to Yio Chu Kang Road. He said this is because of the lack of land sites for ventilation buildings above closed tunnels. He added that noise mitigation studies would be done.
On Feb 22, a written explanation from LTA chief executive Chew Hock Yong was also given. But the residents feel their concerns have not been fully addressed. "It's hard for us to accept," said Mr Cheong.
The residents want to know how the NEA will ensure that the air quality in their vicinity complies with standards. Citing overseas studies, they remain sceptical of the effectiveness of noise barriers like screens and trees.
Most Nuovo residents are families with young children and HDB upgraders who cannot easily move somewhere else, said Mr Dennis Toh, 40, chairman of its management committee.
According to Mr Cheong, the LTA told residents on March 24 that a dialogue should be done through the neighbourhood committee. Last Saturday, the LTA also referred them to the SLA on the land acquisition issue.
Residents seek more talks over expressway concerns
Royston Sim Straits Times 11 Apr 11;
RESIDENTS of a condominium in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 feel that another dialogue is required to address their concerns arising from the planned North-South Expressway (NSE).
Those living in the Nuovo, next to the project, intend to send a second appeal to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) this week requesting a meeting with the relevant government agencies.
The residents in the 297-unit, 99-year leasehold development are worried about noise pollution, air quality and the impact on their health.
Construction of the NSE is expected to start in two years. The project, costing $7 billion to
$8 billion, will link northern Singapore to the city and is expected to be ready by 2020.
Its 15.9km northern section from Admiralty Road West to Toa Payoh Rise was announced on Jan 19. It is currently slated to be a semi-tunnel from the Seletar Expressway to Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8.
Speaking to the media at a meeting yesterday, residents said a reply from the LTA in February had not addressed their concerns.
Mr Cheong Choon Ghee, 40, an engineer, said: 'While we accept that the NSE will run in front of our estate, we are not convinced that the authorities have given sufficient consideration to the full impact on residents or have adequately weighed the alternatives.'
Mr Jeremy Lim, 34, an information technology consultant, said: 'I'm worried about the future air pollution and noise levels.'
The residents had sent a letter to the LTA in February, requesting the closed-tunnel portion of the NSE to be extended 800m north to the junction of Yio Chu Kang Road and Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6.
In a written reply that month, LTA chief executive Chew Hock Yong said an extension of the full underground tunnel would require an additional ventilation building in the Yio Chu Kang area.
But no suitable site was available due to competing land uses. He added that land sites were either obstructed by an existing MRT viaduct, are part of the Defence Ministry's training ground, or close to the Yio Chu Kang MRT station, where space has been reserved for residential use.
Last month, residents requested that LTA facilitate a dialogue between them and the Defence Ministry, Singapore Land Authority (SLA), Urban Redevelopment Authority and National Environment Agency (NEA).
Last Saturday, the LTA, in an e-mail reply, said: 'A second dialogue, in our view, may not be necessary for now as we know what the issues were and have addressed them in our replies to the residents.'
Representatives from both the LTA and SLA had held a dialogue with about 80 residents on Jan 26 after the NSE was announced.
'For issues related to construction, we will need time to work through as it involves many aspects of detailed design,' the LTA added in its e-mail.
Residents yesterday said they wanted to know how the LTA would monitor vehicle emissions to ensure they do not exceed limits, how the NEA would monitor air quality, and what the LTA would do to cap noise.
Said Mr Cheong: 'By the time the Government completes its design, there's no room for talk anymore. Our concerns are valid and we feel they are in a position to answer most of our questions now.'
