BOOSTING CONVENIENCE, CONNECTING LIVES

UPCOMING HUME MRT STATION

Construction works for Hume MRT station (working name) will tentatively begin in Q4 of 2020. The new station will be located along Hume Avenue; near Hume Park I, Hume Park II and Symphony Heights condominiums. Please rest assured I am working closely with MOT, LTA and SBS Transit (operator of the Downtown Line) to see this project through. I would like to, once again, thank all residents for your patience and understanding.

To boost accessibility to the station, a drop-off point and taxi stand will be built in the vicinity. There will also be sheltered linkways connecting the station to the bus stop along Upper Bukit Timah Road. The bus stop will have higher shelters to accommodate double-decked buses.

TUNNEL WALK FROM HILLVIEW MRT STATION TO HUME MRT STATION SITE ON 31st DECEMBER 2019

On 31st December 2019, I met personnel from MOT, LTA and SBS Transit (operator of Downtown Line). They kindly led me on a walk through the train tunnels from Hillview MRT Station to the site of the future Hume MRT station (working name). During the walk, they shared more on the construction process with me.

The new station will be the first underground station to be built along a completed MRT line (i.e. the Downtown Line). This project is helmed by LTA engineers with over two decades of experience. Its location presents a number of construction challenges. For example, construction works adjacent to the operational tunnels can only be done in the wee hours of the morning, after the Downtown Line has ceased operations for the day.

Materials also need to be transported to the work site (measuring 140 m in length and 30 m in width) from Hillview MRT station as there is no viable entrance. The distance between Hillview MRT station and the work site is about 700 m. I would like to extend my appreciation to the workers who will be working to complete this major engineering feat.

In the meantime, my team and I have been working closely with LTA to improve the buses serving Bukit Gombak. Bus Service 973 was introduced to connect residents to key amenities. Double-decked buses have also been deployed for Bus Service 653 to increase passenger capacity. We will continue working with the relevant parties to see this hard-won project to fruition. Thank you for your patience!

IMPROVING OUR BUS SERVICES

Additional bus trips have been added during peak hour for buses 172, 181, 185, 193, 241, 242, 243, 974 and 991 since April 2018 to reduce waiting time. Bus Services 973, 991 and 976 were also introduced in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively to help boost transport connectivity within Bukit Gombak. More bus trips and higher-capacity buses have also been introduced since September 2015 for buses 160, 177, 178, 180, 945, 963 and 991.

ENHANCING TRAFFIC SAFETY

We have worked with LTA to implement new measures and infrastructure over the years to improve traffic safety and facilitate better traffic flow. The following are some of the enhances that have been made:

The road along Hillview Avenue has been resurfaced for a smoother drive.
A bus-friendly speed hump was added along Hillview Avenue to enhance pedestrian safety.
The centre divider along Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1 was widened, with the installation of chevron markings and bus-friendly road humps. This is to enhance road safety for motorists and pedestrians.
A signalised pedestrian crossing was introduced opposite Hillview Community Club so that you can cross the road safely.
Traffic light timing at Bukit Batok Avenue 2 has been amended to allow more time for vehicles to turn right.
Improvements to the junction at the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) slip road, Jalan Jurong Kechil and Jalan Anak Bukit have been made.
For better traffic flow, Jalan Jurong Kechil was widened from a two- to three-lane carriageway. It encompasses a bus lane.