New 'riverfront' project launched at Rochor Canal

Straits Times 18 Jul 11;

AT THE moment, it is just an ordinary stretch of canal. Soon, however, the 1.1km route between Jalan Besar and Crawford will be transformed into an attractive 'riverfront' with decks and seating areas.

The $48 million project at Rochor Canal is the latest addition to water agency PUB's Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters programme. This scheme aims to transform utilitarian drains, canals and reservoirs so they resemble beautiful streams and lakes.

The new 'Rochor River' will be integrated with surrounding developments and allow people to enjoy scenic views of the waterway.

A Gateway Plaza will be built at an open area near Ophir Road to stage community events, and rain gardens will be incorporated along Rochor Canal to treat rainwater run-off so cleaner water flows into the canal.

The project was launched by Ms Denise Phua, an MP for Moulmein-Kallang GRC, near Crawford Court yesterday. About 300 people attended.

PUB chief executive Khoo Teng Chye and his appointed successor, former Navy chief Chew Men Leong, were also present. The agency has so far completed 15 projects under its programme, which it introduced in 2007.

A revitalised Alexandra Canal was officially opened in March after PUB spent 23 months and $34 million transforming a 1.2km stretch of the canal from Tanglin Road to Delta Road.

The improvements included decking over a 200m-long portion of the canal near Tanglin Road to create a water cascade and water play area.

Other completed projects include Bedok Reservoir, where new facilities such as floating decks at the reservoir bank were added.

In the Kolam Ayer housing estate, a 250m stretch of Kallang River was transformed with improved landscaping along the river banks, a floating deck and a water wheel.

Two other projects in the programme will be completed by this year: one to integrate Kallang River with Bishan Park, and Phase Two of the MacRitchie Reservoir makeover.

The Rochor Canal project will be completed in 2014. PUB will implement more than 100 such projects islandwide in the next 15 to 20 years.

ROYSTON SIM