Busy Orchard Road stretch to become car-free from 2025 and link to Istana Park expansion

The Dhoby Ghaut area is scheduled for a revamp, offering visitors more recreational spaces and a car-free environment from 2025.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) “Bring Back the Orchard” project aims to enhance Orchard Road as an urban green corridor to remind Singaporeans of the street’s heritage while creating a memorable visitor experience and distinct precinct identity.

Orchard Road today is lined with trees, which is a reminder of the street’s origin, as it was then lined with nutmeg and clove plantations and fruit orchards.

“To strengthen Orchard Road’s attractiveness as a highly walkable urban corridor between the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Fort Canning Park, one possibility is to introduce curated displays of vibrant tree and shrub planting along Orchard Road that depict the colours of the tropics,” said URA.

A 500-metre stretch of Orchard Road between Buyong and Handy roads will also become car-free, with traffic being diverted to Penang Road.

The National Parks Board (NParks) has already called a tender for consultancy services for the enhancements, reported Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao last month.

The upgrades are part of plans unveiled in 2020 to transform Orchard Road into a “lush green corridor,” said NParks and URA to The Straits Times on Sept 11.

Other improvements include new family-friendly features and play areas for children above the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, as well as a new sheltered events space to add to the venue’s appeal.

A new water-play feature at Dhoby Ghaut Green will allow children to interact with various water elements within a lush park setting.

The agencies said they would review the longer-term plans for the areas affected by the park improvements and road diversion. However, the car-free stretch of Orchard Road will better link the expanded Istana Park and commercial establishments to visitors.

“When completed, the public will be able to enjoy a seamless belt of recreation and leisure stretching from Orchard Road featuring a redesigned Istana Park, onto Fort Canning Park, and towards Singapore River and eventually Pearl’s Hill City Park,” said URA. /TISG

Hope town council can make better use of conservancy fees and hire skilled workers to maintain greenery