SINGAPORE: The Workers’ Party MP Louis Chua announced on Thursday (Nov 9) that an additional three lifts are now in operation at 119 and 120 Rivervale Drive after a period of delay. The Housing and Development Board (HDB), Sengkang Town Council (SKTC), and the company responsible for the lifts had just finished inspecting the lifts.
One of the lifts is at Block 119, and the other two are at Block 120 Rivervale Drive, said Mr Chua in a Facebook post. He added that the lifts were operational by 5:00 on Thursday afternoon.
“The HDB had scheduled the car park lifts installation since late 2021, which was originally set to be complete in 2Q23, but this had to be delayed due to the obstruction by an unknown underground structure discovered during the piling and sub-structure works,” he added.
Mr Chua also expressed appreciation for the patience everyone has shown, given the delay and the understanding extended while proper investigations and construction works were carried out. He also wrote that he hopes “that the lifts will now bring greater convenience to residents in our neighbourhood!”
The MP has represented Rivervale at Sengkang GRC in Parliament since The Workers’ Party won its second GRC in the General Election in 2020. This is the second time in less than a week that he gave residents updates regarding the ward.
On Saturday (Nov 4), he shared an update on the repairs to a covered linkway at Block 122F, a part of which had been taken out by a vehicle during an accident along Rivervale Drive.
On Aug 24, a minibus crashed into the linkway, resulting in a 40-year-old male driver being brought to Changi General Hospital. Fortunately, the man was conscious when conveyed to the hospital and was able to assist the police with investigations. However, the accident crumpled one portion of the linkway, which can be seen online here.
After Mr Chua received an update on the status of the linkway’s repairs, he wrote, “The damaged and loose structures were first removed after the accident, and we needed to enlist the help of a professional engineer (PE) to help conduct a comprehensive inspection and assessment of the walkway’s structural integrity. This assessment includes the necessary calculations and design work for the reinstatement, including the selection of appropriate materials. The findings will then have to be reported to the relevant authorities, for their review and approval, before any repair works can commence.”
He added that the measures implemented are only temporary and that more permanent repair works will be carried out as soon as possible. /TISG