In November 2017, PUB received requests from the Choa Chu Kang and Zhenghua Constituency Offices (COs) to improve the connectivity between Teck Whye (Chua Chu Kang Town) and Senja (Bukit Panjang Town).
Residents feedback that the existing footbridge across Pang Sua Canal has become worn out over the years and was unsafe for use. There was also no proper footpath and lighting across the vacant land from the footbridge to Woodlands Road. As a result, residents had to make a detour in order to get to the other side of the town.
Check the picture for Original footbridge across Pang Sua Canal
PUB officers Christiana Shen, Shihana Salahudeen and Kamarudin Bin Fadillah promptly swung into action. They worked with the Land Transport Authority (LTA), National Parks Board (NParks) and the relevant COs to develop a comprehensive plan to not just rehabilitate the footbridge but also enhance connectivity by constructing a new footpath to connect the footbridge to Woodlands Road. Construction works were completed in December 2018 and the new infrastructures were opened for public use in January 2019.
Check the picture for new Pang Sua Bridge with lightings after completion of upgrading works
Senior Engineer Christiana Shen said, “The task was not easy as it involved coordination between different agencies across multiple tasks and we had to work closely together for the infrastructures to be built successfully. I am thankful that my fellow public officers were all keen to join forces to find a suitable solution for the residents. It really takes a whole-of-government effort.”
The project team was commended at the Municipal Service Awards 2019 held on 17 October 2019, for exemplifying the OneService spirit by stepping across organisation boundaries to collaborate with other agencies and grassroots organisations to address the community’s needs.
When asked about her thoughts on delivering effective municipal services, Christiana said, “Here at PUB, we don’t just handle water issues. We want to work together with our fellow government agencies and community partners to engage citizens, build strong partnerships and improve municipal service delivery, making Singapore a better place to live in. This means looking at our municipal spaces and try to realise the full potential of our water infrastructures by integrating them with the surrounding environment in a holistic way that can bring benefits to everyone.”
See the picture for Senior Engineer Christiana Shen, Catchment & Waterways Department, representing PUB to receive the Municipal Services Award for the rehabilitation of Pang Sua Bridge
The Municipal Services Awards is an annual event organised by the Municipal Services Office (MSO) to recognise excellent citizen-centric delivery of municipal services and inter-agency efforts to achieve effective solutions. The awards also recognise community partners who had worked closely with MSO and agencies to better serve residents.