Demolition work for iconic Rochor Centre to commence on June 26

SINGAPORE – Work to demolish Rochor Centre will start on June 26 and is expected to be completed by April next year, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in a media release on Wednesday (June 20).

The 567-unit iconic landmark, known for its four colourful blocks of Housing and Development Board flats, will be torn down to make way for the construction of the North-South Corridor (NSC).

The demolition will commence from the top floors, with the structure progressively brought down floor-by-floor using machinery, said the LTA.

To minimise the inconvenience to nearby businesses, LTA said that it has enclosed the area with noise barriers and dust screens.

Temporary sheltered walkways have also been put up at alternative routes around the site, with clear signages at public access areas to redirect pedestrians.

"A water spraying system will also be used to suppress airborne dust particles during the demolition," the agency said.

It added that the site's contractor is required to monitor and comply with the permissible noise level stipulated under the prevailing regulations.

The NSC is a 21.5km-long expressway which will connect towns in the northern region of the island to the city centre and ease traffic along the north-south corridor currently served by only the Central Expressway.

The new expressway is expected to cut travel time for motorists by up to 30 per cent. For example, a journey between Yishun and the city centre will be reduced from between 30 and 35 minutes to between 20 and 30 minutes.