Environmental Impact Assessment of Cross Island Line begins

Channel NewsAsia 4 Jul 14;

SINGAPORE: An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the upcoming Cross Island MRT Line on the Central Catchment Nature Reserve will start immediately, following the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) appointment of the company Environmental Resources Management (ERM) to carry out the study.

The LTA announced in a news release on Friday (July 4) that ERM has a good understanding of Singapore's environment, as its team includes biodiversity experts. They have conducted similar EIA studies for transport projects in places such as the UK.

In Phase 1 of the study, the company will map habitats in the existing ecosystem of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, and assess the impact of proposed soil investigation works.

In Phase 2, it will focus on assessing the potential impact from construction and train operations on the area. The EIA report is due to be completed in 2016, and its findings will help the Government decide on the final alignment of the Cross Island Line.

LTA's Chief Executive Chew Hock Yong says nature and resident groups have come forth with valuable input since the project began, and that the authority will continue to engage them.

"The Government will take into account these views, the findings from the EIA, as well as other factors such as connectivity, travel times, costs and land use compatibility, when deciding on the Cross Island Line alignment that will best serve the community," he said.

Writing on Facebook, Senior Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo also promised that the Government would continue to engage stakeholders, and said a "robust" environmental impact assessment is critical.

The Cross Island Line she said, is a "vital part" of Singapore's rail network expansion plans as it will be connected to most existing and new rail lines by 2030.

"It is important we remain on track for the work required for the (Cross Island Line) while giving due care to nature," she wrote.

- CNA/ly

Environmental Impact Assessment of Cross Island Line to kick off
Today Online 5 Jul 14;

SINGAPORE — The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded the tender to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the portion of the Cross Island Line around the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

The tender was awarded to global consulting firm Environmental Resources Management (ERM) and the study will start immediately. The LTA said ERM has put together a team that has conducted similar studies for transport projects in places such as the United Kingdom and has a biodiversity arm that has a good understanding of Singapore’s environment.

The 50km Cross Island Line will connect Jurong to Changi when it is completed in 2030. The announcement of the line last year drew much consternation from nature groups, which were concerned about the environmental impact of the line if it cuts through the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

The LTA will take into consideration the EIA findings in making a decision on the alignment.

In the first phase of EIA, a baseline study of the existing ecosystem and the physical conditions along the various alignment options will be conducted. ERM will also be required to provide a mapping of habitats, assess the impact of proposed soil investigation work and recommend guidelines and appropriate mitigating measures before carrying out any activities in the nature reserve.

In the second phase, ERM will focus on assessing the potential impact to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve during the construction and train operations and propose mitigation measures during these stages.

The EIA report is targeted for completion in 2016.

In a Facebook post yesterday, Senior Minister of State (Transport) Josephine Teo said a robust EIA is critical, given that the Cross Island Line will either skirt around or cut through the nature reserve.

She added that the Government will continue to engage stakeholders.

“The (line) is a vital part of our rail network expansion plans. Given that it will be connected to most of our existing and new rail lines by 2030, (it) will provide more travel options and alternative routes for commuters. It is important we remain on track for the work required for the CRL while giving due care to nature,” she said.

Study begins on green impact of future MRT line
Team will assess Cross Island Line’s possible impact on nature reserve
Christopher Tan Straits Times 5 Jul 14;

A global environmental consultancy has clinched a $2 million job to find out the impact that a future MRT line might have on the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

Environmental Resources Management (ERM), which has offices in 40 countries, will start immediately on an environmental impact assessment of the Cross Island Line, slated to serve several areas including Bukit Timah and Ang Mo Kio.

Going by the proposed alignment, the 50km line that stretches from Changi to Jurong will cut through a southern tip of the nature reserve.

ERM, a global provider of environmental, health, safety, risk and social consulting services, has put together a team of specialists for the study. The team has conducted similar studies for transport projects in Britain and includes a biodiversity arm. The study will be completed in 2016.

Last Friday, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said planning work for the new line - slated to be Singapore’s most ambitious MRT project - has started.

The line was announced last year and is targeted to be ready in 2030. It may be the first MRT line here to have express trains.

Ms Olivia Choong, president of environment group Green Drinks Singapore, said: “I think it’s necessary to conduct an environmental impact assessment before the Government proceeds with any work near areas with rich biodiversity.”

Land Transport Authority chief executive Chew Hock Yong said: “Stakeholders and interested parties such as the nature and residents’ groups have provided us with valuable inputs.

“We will continue to engage them as the project progresses.”

The Government will consider these views, the assessment’s results, as well as factors such as connectivity, travel times, costs and the compatibility of land use when deciding the alignment of the rail line “that will best serve the community”, he added.

The Straits Times understands that if the line were to skirt around the nature reserve, it may have to go through the Thomson-Sin Ming area - which might then entail land acquisition.

In the first part of the study, ERM will conduct a baseline study of the existing ecosystem and the physical conditions along various alignment options.

It will also map the habitats, assess the effects of proposed soil investigation works and suggest mitigating measures.

In the second part, the consultant will focus on assessing the potential impact to the nature reserve during the construction of the line as well as when trains start to run. It will also propose mitigations during these stages.


Environmental Resources Management to Assess Environmental Impact of Cross Island Line
LTA News Releases 4 Jul 2014

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has appointed Environmental Resources Management (S) Pte Ltd (ERM) to carry out the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the portion of the Cross Island Line (CRL) around the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR).

2 ERM, a global provider of environmental, health, safety, risk and social consulting services, has put together a team of highly qualified specialists to undertake the EIA study. The team, who have conducted similar EIA studies for transport projects in places such as United Kingdom, includes a biodiversity arm that has a good understanding of Singapore’s environment.

3 The EIA study of the CCNR and its surrounding areas will start immediately. In Phase 1 of the study, the Consultant will conduct a baseline study of the existing ecosystem and the physical conditions along the various alignment options. The Consultant will also be required to provide a mapping of habitats, assess the impact of proposed soil investigation works and recommend guidelines and appropriate mitigating measures prior to carrying out any activities in the CCNR. In Phase 2, the consultant will focus on assessing the potential impact to the CCNR during the construction and train operations. It will also propose mitigation measures during these stages. The EIA report is targeted for completion in 2016 and will assist the Government in making a considered decision on the eventual CRL alignment.

4 Mr Chew Hock Yong, LTA’s Chief Executive, said, “Since the commencement of this project, stakeholders and interested parties such as the nature and residents groups have provided us with valuable inputs. We will continue to engage them as the project progresses. The government will take into account these views, the findings from the EIA, as well as other factors such as connectivity, travel times, costs and land use compatibility, when deciding on the CRL alignment that will best serve the community.”

About the Cross Island Line (CRL)

5 The CRL was announced in January 2013 as part of the Government’s rail infrastructure expansion plan to double the rail network in Singapore by 2030. With a more extensive rail network, commuters will have more choices when travelling by public transport. Targeted for completion by 2030, the 50-km CRL will enhance connectivity between the east/north-east and the west of Singapore and provide commuters with an alternative to the current East-West Line. In addition, it will connect to major radial lines to serve as a key transfer line, complementing the role currently fulfilled by the orbital Circle Line. This will relieve the load on several of our existing lines, bringing greater comfort to all commuters and shortening journey times. The CRL is also a critical component of our plans to enable eight in 10 households to be within a 10-minute walk of a train station by year 2030.

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