Jurong to be redesigned... to emulate East Coast and Punggol

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http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/congested-roads-factory-pollution-obstacles-transforming-jurong?singlepage=true

The Government yesterday announced the first phase of the Jurong Lake Gardens project — the Jurong Lake Park— will be completed by 2017.

The Jurong Lake Park was originally planned in 2012 as one of three “Destination Parks” to attract Singaporeans across the island with its unique features.

The revamp of Jurong will include the integration of the Chinese Garden, the Japanese Garden and the Jurong Lake Park into the Jurong Lake Gardens.

Analysts noted that with its water bodies, the area could emulate idyllic areas such as East Coast and Punggol.

However, obstacles to achieving this include the congested public transport infrastructure as well as pollution from petrochemical plants on Jurong Island nearby, they said.

Mr Ku Swee Yong, chief executive of Century 21 Singapore, noted that the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) is usually congested and that the East-West MRT Line has reached its maximum capacity.

New residents will end up competing with heavy vehicles on the jammed streets, he added, suggesting that the AYE be widened or MRT lines be extended to the area.