Complaints of Improper Road Resurfacing Works

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Transport (a) how many complaints related to road infrastructure have been lodged annually over the past five years; (b) of these, what is the percentage of complaints related to improper resurfaced roads after road works; and (c) how does LTA check that the roads have been properly surfaced and levelled after road works have been completed.

Mr S Iswaran: We have more than 9,000 lane-kilometres of road that serve over a million vehicles. Over the past five years, LTA received an average of about 10,000 feedback per year related to road defects. Of these, approximately 5% is related to the condition of the reinstated road, which can vary from being uneven to being aesthetically unpleasant. LTA follows up on this feedback and rectifies any defects found.

To ensure that roads are properly surfaced, LTA regulates road works through issuing permits, imposing conditions and conducting checks. As part of the permit conditions, the work-commissioning agency, such as utility agencies and telco companies, are required to properly reinstate roads in compliance with the standards in LTA’s Code of Practice for Works on Public Streets. This includes the levelness of the reinstated road. To ensure compliance, there are three layers of checks. First, contractors performing the works are required to engage qualified personnel to supervise the road reinstatement process. Second, the work-commissioning agency is required to ensure that the reinstatement works meet the requirements of the Code of Practice. As a third and final check, LTA also conducts ad hoc audit checks.