OVERHEAD BRIDGE FOR PEDESTRIANS IN SOMAPAH AREA

Mr Sim Boon Woo asked the Minister for Law and National Development, in view of the increased population in the Somapah area and the newly built schools at Jalan Tiga Ratus and the heavy traffic along the 10 milestone, Upper Changi Road, if he will consider the erection of an overhead bridge for pedestrians in that area.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Mr Ho Cheng Choon) (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Works Department is considering the erection of an overhead bridge for pedestrians at the 10 milestone, Changi Road. This site is included in the list of sites at which the need and justification for an overhead pedestrian bridge are being investigated. If this site should warrant priority, a bridge will be built soon.

Mr Bernard Rodrigues: Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House whether these bridges are being fully used by pedestrians?

Mr Speaker: Bridges built elsewhere?

Mr Bernard Rodrigues: Yes.

Mr Ho Cheng Choon: Mr Speaker, Sir, our records show that many people, particularly those in the suburban area, do not take the trouble to use the overhead bridge to cross the road. This is so at the Upper Serangoon Road where more than two-thirds of the pedestrians crossing the road do not use the bridge erected there last year.

Mr Sim Boon Woo (Changi): Will the Parliamentary Secretary inform this House how many overhead pedestrian bridges have been completed so far in the Republic?

Mr Speaker: Mr Sim, that does not come within the ambit of the question on the Order Paper. But if Mr Ho is prepared to answer it, I will let him.

Mr Ho Cheng Choon: Mr Speaker, Sir, so far seven overhead bridges have been erected: at Collyer Quay, Tiong Bahru Road, Upper Serangoon Road, near Lim Tua Tow Market, 5th and 6th milestone Bukit Timah Road, Geylang Serai and Tampines Circus. Two additional overhead pedestrian bridges are now in the course of construction at Kallang Road near the Gas Works and at the Old Airport Road over the existing zebra crossing.