PEDESTRIAN OVERHEAD BRIDGES ACROSS MOUNTBATTEN ROAD AND NICOLL HIGHWAY

Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether there are plans to build pedestrian overhead bridges across Mountbatten Road near the Singapore School for the Deaf, for the school children, and across Nicoll Highway near the National Stadium, for football fans.

The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Dr Tan Eng Liang) (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, plans for the construction of a pedestrian overhead bridge at Mountbatten Road near the School for the Deaf have been finalised. Work is expected to start in June this year and will be completed in October this year.

Plans for the construction of an overhead pedestrian bridge across Nicoll Highway near the National Stadium are also being finalised. Construction is expected to start in July/August this year and is expected to be completed by January 1979.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong (Mountbatten): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, will the Senior Minister of State enlighten the House as to the approximate cost of these overhead bridges?

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Sir, the approximate cost of the first project, that is, the overhead bridge across Mountbatten Road, is estimated to be about $95,000. The approximate cost of the second overhead bridge across Nicoll Highway is $490,000.

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi (Kampong Kembangan): Sir, will the overhead bridge be of a special design to ensure that it is beautiful and blend well with the surroundings of the National Stadium?

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Sir, the approximate cost given of almost half a million dollars must surely indicate to the hon. Member that it is no ordinary overhead bridge. I can assure him that it will be done as tastefully and as aesthetically as possible.