Have you ever thought about taking a stroll—or hike rather—back in time into olden Singapore? This was back when MRTs didn’t exist and old railway tracks connected our little island and the Malay Peninsula in the early 20th century.
Sounds good? We’ve got the place for you.
Central Part of Rail Corridor Reopened to Public; Includes 8 New or Improved Entry Points & More User-Friendly Paths
The Rail Corridor is a 24km former railway line that runs from Woodlands to Tanjong Pajar, which ceased operations in 2011.
But there’s good news for nature lovers now!
The central stretch of the Rail Corridor was reopened to the public on Monday (22 Mar), covering Hillview and the conserved Bukit Timah Railway Station. The area has been closed since 2019 for restoration works.
According to TODAYOnline, the 4km long stretch now has eight new or improved entry points and more user-friendly paths for visitors.
These changes came about after extensive consultations with residents nearby, members of the public, and nature and heritage groups.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the National Parks Board (NParks) noted that preserving the Rail Corridor’s lush greenery and heritage, as well as making the area more accessible and safe for the public were their main considerations.
So, what changes have they made?
Improved Infrastructure; More Accessibility For All
Minister for National Development, Mr Desmond Lee, had expressed that Singaporeans’ feedback was thoroughly reviewed when coming up with plans for the central portion of the Rail Corridor.
He also added that users’ access to the corridor was taken into account and works were done to prevent water-logging along the trail.
There are now eight new or improved access points, two of which are wheelchair-accessible and pram-friendly! They are the entry points from Hindhede Drive and Mayfair Estate, according to The Straits Times.
The authorities have also made them less dangerous, such as the entry point at the Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge near Rail Mall. CNA reports that the “badly eroded slope” has been replaced with concrete steps made to look like the timber sleepers on railway tracks. Very on-brand indeed.
Walking paths have been improved to be more durable, and are also sloped so that rainwater can drain to the sides.
In other entry points that have more human traffic, the trail has been finished with an earth-coloured porous material that also helps in draining rainwater.
In addition, a 3.6m wide underpass was built next to Hindhede Drive so that the public would not have to walk on the roads to access Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
Greening The Tracks (and Our Tracks)
As the central section of the Rail Corridor was retained as a green spine for nature and recreation, it’s no wonder that URA and NParks have continued to protect the natural environment there.
At the reopening of the trail, Mr Lee said, “We want the Rail Corridor to serve as a corridor that connects adjacent green spaces. We have thus taken great care to restore and enhance the biodiversity and greenery along this central stretch.”
About 1,600 native trees have been planted along the path, providing a source of food, habitats and even passageways for Singapore’s wildlife.
Reflector poles that also act as distance markers have been installed on the trail as night lighting would affect animals’ nocturnal rhythms.
The director of the Central Nature Reserve at NParks, Ms Sharon Chan, noted that since many roads cut through forested areas in Singapore, the “Rail Corridor is one stretch that has very little intersections and wildlife can move from one place to another place safely”.
NParks also found a natural stream that is home to aquatic species like the black-eyed litter frog and lowland freshwater crab, which they decided to use instead of building a drain. Utilising natural spaces like these can help improve habitats.
The Rail Corridor and Our Heritage
Of course, the Rail Corridor wouldn’t be the Rail Corridor without the iconic truss bridges (built in 1923—that’s nearly 100 years ago!) and tracks.
According to The Straits Times, the URA team “meticulous[ly]” ensured that each sleeper, clip and spike of train tracks was put back in its exact position on the bridges after being removed for drainage works. They made use of laser scanning technology to map the position of each part.
The railing prototypes for the two restored truss bridges were also carefully selected through inputs from the community. These were installed to make the bridges safer.
The southern stretch of the Rail Corridor, which runs from the Bukit Timah Railway Station to Spooner Road in Tanjong Pagar, is still undergoing improvement work. It is slated to reopen by the end of this month.
Restoration works on the conserved Bukit Timah Railway Station and the Railway Station Staff Quarters will also be completed in 2022.
Works are being carried out at many other points of the Rail Corridor, so stay tuned.
To learn more about the Rail Corridor, click here.
Feature Image: Google Maps (Yinn Tan)
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