Construction Ends, New Opening Begins

The new and upcoming Woodlands South MRT Station and Woodlands Health Campus are finally set to open in 2019 year-end and 2022 in phases

Built in a residential area and near several schools, the new MRT Station and Hospital aim to provide convenience and comfort to the neighbouring community.

Situated in the vicinity of various schools like Christ Church Secondary School, Singapore Sports School, and community facilities such as ACE The Place CC, the new MRT Station will certainly aid commuters travelling to the area.

Construction occupies half of the road pathway, causing in slower traffic and road closures resulting in vehicle having to find re-routes. (PHOTO: VALERIE KOK)

Mrs Hanni Goh, a teacher of Christ Church Secondary School shared that other than being an “alternative way of transport”, the new MRT Station could garner attention and “more students might be interested to learn more about the school”. 

According to the National Healthcare Group, the Woodlands Health Campus seeks to provide “state-of-the-art medical hardware and software technology, therapeutic green spaces and seamless care with community and primary care providers.”

Mrs Anne Chan, the Vice-Principal of Christ Church Secondary School also mentioned, “We are definitely excited and thankful with the prospect of having a new MRT line and Health Campus built near the school”.

However, despite the numerous advantages, the community still have concerns regarding the negative repercussions. The construction has definitely impacting the community since it begun in 2012.

Development of the Woodlands South Station causes road blockages and detours especially for students. (PHOTO: VALERIE KOK)

From loud drilling noises to considerable amounts of dust contaminating the air, the students of Christ Church Secondary School struggle to focus on their academics. 

“The noise level sometimes, I remember, it was really, really distracting to the point where some people just give up, they just couldn’t concentrate.” - Ms Odelia Tan, 16

Mrs Goh shared, “Noise can be quite loud at times, especially so when the pounding vibration was felt and heard".

In fact, the noise and dust has been the least of the community’s concerns. Being situated outside of Christ Church Secondary School and several Housing Development Board (HDB) blocks, the construction made students “lose focus and lose their train of thoughts during their examination”, as said by Ms Tan. 

A neighbouring resident, Ms Casey Chong, also shared that the construction “made my house very dusty very easily. It’s like, normally, I clean my house three to four times per week but now it’s like almost an everyday thing.” 

(ILLUSTRATION: VIVIAN ONG)

Previously, the open space directly opposite the front gate of Christ Church Secondary School, also known as the ‘tele-tubby’ hill, was widely used by the community.

“That track used to be crowded during evening times where many were seen jogging there. Some students had the habit of running up to that tele-tubby hill, screamed off their lungs when they were stressed.” Mrs Goh said.

Nevertheless, even with these hardships, they are all ultimately in an effort to improve the community’s comfort and convenience of the community. The welfare and interest of the community are at the core of these new works-in-progress.