Accessibility to MRT stations, bus interchanges to be improved

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http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/govt-spend-s700-million-improve-accessibility-mrt-stations-bus-interchanges

The Government will spend close to S$700 million to make transport nodes more accessible, elderly friendly and conducive for commuters.

One of the new initiatives, Walk2Ride, will make it easier for more commuters to walk to MRT stations.

The Land Transport Authority will build sheltered linkways within a 400 metre radius from all existing MRT stations, compared to the current 200 metres.

The LTA will also link up developments within a 200 metre radius of all bus interchanges, LRT stations and high usage bus shelters

In all, some 200 kilometres of linkways will be added islandwide by 2018 – more than four times the existing 46 kilometres today.

The project is expected to cost some S$330 million and will begin from 2014.

More pedestrian overhead bridges will also become more elderly and wheel-chair friendly.

The LTA has reviewed the provision criteria to build more lifts at such bridges. A budget of about S$60 million has been set aside to install the lifts from 2014. Half will be completed by 2016 and the remaining by 2018.

Another S$300 million will be spent on installing some 20 kilometres of noise barriers along elevated MRT tracks. Residents living close to MRT viaducts, such as those in Simei, Marsiling and Dover, can expect noise levels to be reduced by above five to 10 decibels. The barriers will be installed from end this year.