PEDESTRIAN OVERHEAD BRIDGE AT ANG MO KIO AVENUE 6 (Provision of shelter)

Mr Lau Ping Sum asked the Minister for National Development whether the pedestrian overhead bridge under construction at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 near the Yio Chu Kang Mass Rapid Transit station will be provided with shelter; and what will be the cost of providing such a shelter.

Dr Lee Boon Yang (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, it is the Public Works Department's practice not to provide a covered overhead pedestrian bridge if it is not connected directly to buildings at both ends. The overhead pedestrian bridge under construction at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 near the Yio Chu Kang Mass Rapid Transit station is not connected to any building and will not therefore be provided cover.

It would only make sense to provide a sheltered overhead pedestrian bridge if the bridge under construction is extended 70 metres to the Mass Rapid Transit station at one end and 20 metres to the nearest HDB flat (Block 636) at the other. Such a covered overhead pedestrian bridge will cost $422,000 as against the bridge under construction which will cost $238,000.

Mr Lau Ping Sum (Yio Chu Kang): Sir, would the Minister of State consider in the longer-term, in order to upgrade the quality of life and to provide greater convenience to residents, to review this policy of providing shelter to all overhead pedestrian bridges?

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Mr Speaker, Sir, PWD constantly re-assesses its designs for overhead pedestrian bridges. If there is a need and if it is cost-beneficial to improve the design and provide cover, then it would be considered.