Residents and shop owners along Upper Thomson Road are bracing themselves for more noise and inconvenience early next year as the construction of the Thomson Line moves into the next stage.
The construction of the Upper Thomson station is challenging as the Upper Thomson Road is congested, and close to residential areas. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2015.
The Upper Thomson station will be built underneath a stretch of Upper Thomson Road between Thomson Plaza and the Church of the Holy Spirit. Road diversions along this part of Upper Thomson Road are expected to start in the first quarter of next year, and are needed to facilitate the construction of the station’s retaining walls.
The traffic alignment will be adjusted again in the third quarter of 2015. The final road alignment will begin in the second quarter of 2016, and LTA said measures will be in place to minimise inconveniences.
Said Thomson Line Director at the LTA, Tan Kok Jin: “We will put up noise barriers to block the noise from the machines and schedule the noisy work in the day time. But there are diaphragm walls work that has to be continued for 24-hours for safety reasons. If not the ground may collapse and cause more problems for the construction.”
Thomson resident Low Kim Seng thinks the noise is “inevitable”. “I think people understand, as long as after certain hours the noise is below certain decibels, I don’t think that is the main problem. At this stage, they have controlled the dust and pollution well.”
The road diversion near Thomson Community Club started in September this year to facilitate excavation works. Motorists now have to navigate a gradual curve. “We have to slow down in order to avoid that wave change. If you are not careful, cars coming from the side roads may get onto your path and it could cause a small accident,” said motorist Georgelin Francis Fernandez.
Variable Message Signs have been put up to warn motorists of the road diversion, and these are installed at least 50 metres ahead of the affected stretch. The speed limit has also been reduced from 60 to 40 kilometres an hour. The diversions will be in place until April 2018, and the station is expected to be completed in May 2020.
Source : Channel NewsAsia – 11 Nov 2014