Nature-loving Singaporeans can look forward to the reopening of more stretches along the Rail Corridor in the coming months, the Ministry of National Development (MND) updated on Jan. 4.
This was a written answer in response to Bukit Panjang SMC MP Liang Eng Hwa's parliamentary questions.
Liang asked the Minister for National Development, Desmond Lee, to give an update on the Rail Corridor plan and whether new stretches will include seamless connections to nearby HDB towns such as Bukit Panjang.
Ongoing enhancement works
The ministry said that trail improvement works have been carried out along various stretches along central and south of the Rail Corridor since 2018.
Formerly a railway line, it is now a continuous green corridor that allows residents in Singapore to relax and appreciate nature and heritage left from the past.
Currently, visitors can access the trails between Jalan Kilang Barat and Commonwealth Drive, as well as between Buona Vista and the conserved Bukit Timah Railway Station with a short detour at Holland Road.
In total, that forms about 5km of the entire 24km Rail Corridor that spans from north to south of Singapore.
MND updated that the rest of the Rail Corridor will reopen progressively when works are completed.
As enhancement works are ongoing, diverted routes are created for visitors to use in replacement of the closed sections of the Rail Corridor.
Continuous trail from north to south ready by Q1 2021
By the first quarter of 2021, the public can look forward to a continuous trail from Spooner Road to Hillview Road.
The northern stretch of the Rail Corridor between Hillview Road and Kranji Road is currently accessible to the public.
Trail improvement works along some sections in the northern stretch will commence from early 2021.
There will also be new access paths from surrounding estates into the Rail Corridor, which MND said more details will be revealed when ready.
You can find out more about the Rail Corridor here.
Top photo via We support The Green Corridor in Singapore/Facebook.