Singapore, 23 March 2021 – The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the National Parks Board (NParks) announced yesterday the reopening of Rail Corridor (Central), following the completion of enhancement works to make the space more inclusive and accessible for visitors of all ages and abilities.
The 24-kilometre-long Rail Corridor has been a Green spine for recreation, community activities and nature. The agencies engaged Singaporeans extensively in the enhancement project. From the consultations, the recurrent themes that have emerged are about retaining the Rail Corridor’s lush greenery and railway heritage.
This feedback was considered when the plans for Rail Corridor (Central) were drawn up. The enhancement works that started in 2019 have now been completed and the corridor is now reopened to the public. Details of the enhancement works are as follows:
- A sensitive restoration and careful refurbishment of several railway landmarks, such as the two conserved truss bridges, the steel girder bridge at Hindhede, the Singapore Quarry Bridge, Bukit Timah Railway Station and Railway Station Staff Quarters;
- Eight new or improved access points at popular locations along Rail Corridor (Central), such as flights of stairs near the Upper Bukit Timah truss bridge and the Singapore Quarry Bridge;
- A new pedestrian underpass at Hindhede Drive so that visitors to the nature reserve now have a dedicated footpath;
- Strengthened trail with materials and finishes that complement the site character at different stretches; and
- Safety features such as railings and improved flooring.
Parts of the trail along Rail Corridor (South) are currently undergoing improvement works following PUB’s laying of the Murnane Pipeline under the Rail Corridor, and are scheduled to reopen by the end of this month. The public will then be able to access a continuous trail from Rail Mall to Spooner Road.
Improvement works to the trail along Rail Corridor (North) will commence later this year and is expected to complete by 2022. Visitors can soon look forward to a continuous Rail Corridor landscaped trail from Woodlands Road to Spooner Road.
The project is part of the 360-kilometre island-wide network of recreational routes that is currently being curated. Overall, this will contribute to Singapore’s goal of enabling all households to live within a 10-minute walk of a park by 2030.
– Construction+ Online
Source: URA
