Stamford Diversion Canal: Second phase to begin next month

SINGAPORE — The tender for the second phase of the Stamford Diversion Canal — built to tackle the issue of flooding along the Orchard belt — has been awarded, with works to begin in November.  

The S$107.7 million contract was awarded to Tiong Seng Contractors yesterday (Sept 29), said the PUB, which also shared updates on other drainage works island-wide.  

To date, it has completed drainage projects at 163 locations and works are still ongoing at 133 locations. Three more major drainage projects are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of this year at Happy Avenue Outlet Drain, Tampines Canal and Pioneer Sector Outlet Drain, along with other projects at another three locations.

Last year, PUB stepped up the pace on drainage works and brought forward drainage projects meant to start in 2015 to start this year, following a spate of flash floods. 

Asked whether the completed works have helped in flood prevention, Mr Ridzuan Ismail, Director for PUB’s Catchment and Waterways Department, said: “Generally – for those we have identified as hotspots and we have implemented the drainage improvement projects – actually we do see improvements.”

There have been nine days of flood incidences this year so far, compared to 36 days last year. However, PUB cautioned that rainfall varies every year and this year’s monsoon season has yet to begin.

Mr Ridzuan added: “We will continue to monitor and track all these incidences.

The second phase of the Stamford Diversion Canal will involve a 1km stretch of underground tunneling works, following the length of Grange Road between Tanglin Road and Hoot Kiam Road, and 430m of open cut digging carried out across Hoot Kiam Road, along Irwell Bank Road and to River Valley Road. 

The roads will be diverted, but will remain passable. The diversions will begin early next year at Tanglin Road and middle of next year at Hoot Kiam Road. When completed in 2017, it will divert stormwater away from the upstream section of the Stamford Canal catchment towards Singapore River, and eventually, into the Marina Reservoir.

Clarification: In an earlier version of this story, we reported that there are three projects that are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of this year at Happy Avenue Outlet Drain, Tampines Canal and Pioneer Sector Outlet Drain. These three projects are in addition to other projects also commencing in Q4.