LTA works closely with various agencies to plan and develop land transport infrastructure in Singapore. When doing so, measures to minimise the impact of our works on the environment are also discussed. During the construction of our roads and rail system, due consideration is given to minimise environmental impact to existing mature trees as well as noise generated from road traffic.

LTA is committed to protecting our environment. We incorporate environmental protection in our strategic decisions and conduct our business in a manner that balances the environmental and economic needs of the communities in which we operate.

We will:

	Comply fully with all relevant environmental legislation and regulations and meet or exceed good environmental practices; and
	Work with our partners i.e., transport operators, contractors, interest groups and other government agencies in a concerted effort to operate in an environmentally responsible manner.

LTA places great emphasis on raising awareness in incorporating environmental protection measures through education and promotion. Since year 2007, we have published the following guidebooks:

	Best Environmental Practices: Earth Control Measures (published in January 2007)
	Best Environmental Practices: Noise Control at LTA Sites (published in July 2008)

The guidebooks aim to equip our staff and contractors with the various control techniques as well as best practices which they may adopt on site.

Even during the early stages of our projects, careful planning is being carried out to minimise the number of affected trees and when it is not possible, we work with the relevant agency to plant new trees.

Read more about our efforts to go green for some of our projects here:

Widening of city-bound slip road from the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) to the East Coast Parkway (ECP) at Changi Flyover Improvements to traffic flow at Orchard Link Construction of Fort Canning Tunnel

The National Environment Agency (NEA) is a party which LTA works closely with on environmental concerns. To ensure that nearby residents and businesses are not affected by construction works, noise pollution levels generated are monitored and kept within levels determined by the NEA.

Where possible, we plant more trees between the roads and residential units to reduce the impact of our works on the environment. Equipment designed to keep noise and vibrations to a minimum are also used. Barriers are placed near residential areas where possible, and much planning is also carried out to schedule works at appropriate time periods.

To minimise inconvenience to public and to reduce the impact of construction activities to residents living near the KPE site, noise, dust and other mitigating measures were implemented.

Geylang River

Engineers carefully diverted the Geylang River, laid the KPE in its place, before shifting the river back to its original alignment.

Kallang Practice Track

The tunnel construction method allowed for the preservation of the Singapore Sports Council's field track along Kallang.

Pelton Canal

By following the alignment of the Pelton Canal below ground level, the KPE removed the need to create a visually obtrusive elevated viaduct which would have affected the privacy of the lower floor units in surrounding HDB flats.

Read more about our conservation and environmental for the KPE

LTA requires contractors to submit his schematic ECM plans of the construction site for the contract duration endorsed by Qualified Erosion Control Professional (QECP) and install the ECM according to the QECP’s design.

During construction, the Contractor is required to minimize the formation of bare surfaces using the following measures:

Contractor is also required to install and maintain sediment control measures and facilities which include:

a)	Minimise site disturbance by keeping site clearance works to a minimum by retaining as much of the existing vegetation as possible.
b)	Pave up the bare surfaces and all construction access by concrete or milled waste or other suitable materials
c)	Protect the bare slopes with close-turfing, concrete grouting, canvas or erosion control blanket
d)	Protect the earth stockpiles with canvas or erosion control blanket
e)	Restore ground cover over disturbed areas, which are or have become bare, as soon as possible
f)	Carry out trench excavation work in sequence with the progress of permanent works to minimise impact on the environment

Contractor is also required to install and maintain sediment control measures and facilities which include:

a)	Concrete-lined cut-off drains along the perimeter of the construction sites
b)	Erect silt fences in front and along the perimeter cut-off drain along the perimeter of the boundary of the site
c)	Install intermediate silt traps along the perimeter lined cut-off drain
d)	A treatment system using chemical coagulants or membrane system shall be installed to treat all silty discharge before the discharge points into public drain
e)	Use of polymer blocks in sedimentation tanks, silt traps and along perimeter drain.
f)	Install a turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) monitoring device for continuous monitoring of the TSS and turbidity of the discharge into the storm water drainage system
g)	For construction works near water bodies, turbidity curtains must be installed. The design, fabrication, and installation of the primary and secondary turbidity curtains must be conducted to ensure that the turbidity of water in the water bodies around the works shall not exceed the pre-existing levels or 50mg/l

LTA requires contractors to submit a noise management plan sufficiently in advance of the Works

Sensitive buildings are identified and mitigation measures implemented before work commences

Noise Measurements

Prior to the commencement of any construction activities, contractors are required to carry out a survey of the noise levels for one week, on a 24-hour basis, to establish the levels of the background noise for record purposes.

Noise measurements are required for buildings within 50m from the contract limits. Noise levels at buildings shall be measured 1m away from the nearest façade of the building to the road and readings shall be taken from at least 3 different levels.

Noise Controls

Contractors are required to take all practicable steps to reduce noise arising from site activities to the minimum. These steps include:

a)	All machinery and plant must be sound reduced prior to entering the site
b)	Noisy plant must be housed in an acoustic shed
c)	Noisy activities must be barricaded with portable sound barriers/panels
d)	Noise barriers should be erected before noisy work commences if the site is within proximity to residences and/or sensitive buildings
e)	Establish good rapport with the community

Contractors are required to:

a)	Use source reduction and effective drainage as the main forms of mosquito control.
b)	Apply larvicides or mosquito oil to supplement source reduction.
c)	Have an in-house pest control team to search and destroy any potential breeding grounds, especially after every rainfall, using the “zoning method” (see below for more details on the zoning method).
d)	Engage NSRS (National Skills Recognition System) certified pest control operators.
e)	Carry out thermal fogging when necessary

Zoning Method

Last Updated on 15/08/2008