PEDESTRIAN OVERHEAD BRIDGES ACROSS JALAN TOA PAYOH AND BALESTIER ROAD

Mr Sia Khoon Seong asked the Minister for National Development whether the Public Works Department will construct (i) a pedestrian overhead bridge across Jalan Toa Payoh from Rajah Court in view of the increasing number of residents in the vicinity crossing Jalan Toa Payoh daily; and (ii) pedestrian overhead bridges across Balestier Road at points where there is very heavy pedestrian crossing daily by residents and students from the surrounding areas.

The Minister of State for National Development (Mr Lee Yock Suan) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Housing and Develop ment Board will be constructing an overhead bridge across Jalan Toa Payoh at Rajah Court. Work will commence in October 1982 and end in March 1983.

The Public Works Department is fully aware of the need to provide pedestrian crossing facilities along Balestier Road. There are five sets of traffic lights with green/red man signals and two push-button pedestrian crossing lights along Balestier Road between Thomson Road and Serangoon Road. The PWD will be constructing a pedestrian overhead bridge across Balestier Road at the McNair Road junction to replace the existing push-button pedestrian crossing lights. This will further enhance the safety of pedestrians and improve traffic flow. Work will commence in May 1982 and end in October 1982.

A second pedestrian overhead bridge is also planned to be constructed near the junction of Mandalay Road/Balestier Road. Work is expected to start in August 1982 and be completed by the end of the year.