CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY (Completion date)

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong asked the Minister for National Development when will the Central Expressway be completed; what are the causes of the delays; and what measures have been taken by the Government to speed up the construction.

The Minister for National Development (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Central Expressway Phase 2 from Bukit Timah Road to Chin Swee Road is expected to be completed in mid-1991.

There are some delays in its progress. This is mainly due to unforeseen poor soil condition (near Cairnhill Circle) encountered during the construction of the tunnels. Labour shortage has also contributed to the delay.

To speed up the construction, the contractor has recruited more workers and started working beyond 7.00 pm and on Sundays in areas outside residential areas, for example, the Singapore River site.

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong (Cairnhill): Sir, can the Minister inform the House how much additional costs were incurred as a result of these delays?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is a turnkey contract. So the delays or unforeseen soil condition should not increase the cost. But, of course, there will be a delay in the construction, as I mentioned, by about six months.