SINGAPORE: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will
install noise barriers at three stretches of elevated train tracks
along the East-West MRT line as part of its trials to assess the
effectiveness of noise barriers.
Noise barriers will be installed at Tampines Street
21 (next to Block 296), Jurong East Street 13 (next to Block 110)
and Toh Guan Road (next to Blk 266).
LTA said the noise barriers at Tampines and Jurong
East are similar to those installed at the new viaduct at the
Jurong East station as part of the Jurong East Modification Project
last year.
It added that these two locations were selected for the tests as
the eastern and western stretches of the tracks come with two
different designs.
The trials will allow LTA to test the installation methodology of
noise barriers at different segments of viaducts, and assess the
most efficient way to customise them for other locations.
Work is expected to begin in the third quarter of this year and
will take about a year to complete.
LTA said the noise barriers are expected to reduce noise levels
from passing trains by at least 5 decibels.
Currently, the noise levels at Tampines St 21 and Jurong East St 13
are between 78 and 82 decibels.
A normal conversation typically measures about 60 decibels.
For the Toh Guan Road stretch, LTA said it would install a
150-metre long, 4.5-metre high noise barrier as part of the
trial.
The stretch is a turnout location, which is an area where two
pieces of track merge for trains to be diverted from one track to
another.
Noise levels are higher when trains cross turnout locations.
LTA said given the unique viaduct design at this turnout location,
it would assess the effectiveness of these noise barriers in
mitigating the noise impact.
The installation will begin in the third quarter and will take
about one and a half years to complete.
LTA said the noise barrier at the turnout location is expected to
reduce noise levels by up to 10 decibels.
The noise level at the Toh Guan Road viaduct is currently between
80 and 85 decibels.
The installation is expected to cause minimum disturbance to
existing track facilities and equipment as work will be carried out
during the narrow window when train services are not
operating.
Meanwhile, LTA said the noise barriers at Bishan will be installed
by the end of June.
The trials, together with the results of the island-wide noise
measurement study, will help LTA develop an implementation plan to
reduce railway noise at specific locations across the island.
LTA said it would share its preliminary implementation plan around
the third quarter this year.
- CNA/al