The Land Transport Authority (LTA), one of the key agencies involved in preparations for the inaugural 2008 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix in September 2008 awarded four contracts for road works for the street race.
The four contracts, worth a total of $23.8 million, were awarded to Or Kim Peow Contractors (Pte) Ltd (two contracts), Sato Kogyo (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Downer EDI Works Pte Ltd.
The works commenced in September 2007 and were completed in June 2008.
To meet the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) strict requirement on surface finishing, the entire width of the track, which ranges between 9 and 15m wide, was resurfaced at the same time. This was unlike the normal road resurfacing work where only one lane needs to be closed at a time. At certain stretches of the street circuit, there were full road closures during the works to achieve this.
A stronger road asphalt surface which uses a Polymer Modified Binder (PMB) that is able to withstand the high shear forces exerted by the race cars during the F1 race was used for the resurfacing works. This road asphalt surface will also be able to meet the requirements of daily traffic.
Road Works in the City Centre
A series of road works were undertaken in the city centre, which included road widening works along Raffles Boulevard from Nicoll Highway to Temasek Avenue.
Other works in the city centre included modifications to existing roads, such as the removal of road kerbs and traffic islands along the confirmed F1 track alignment. These road modifications took place along St Andrew's Road, Esplanade Drive, Raffles Avenue, Raffles Boulevard and Republic Boulevard.
The existing roads within the confirmed F1 track alignment were also milled and patched with the F1 asphalt road pavement required by the FIA.
The road works in the city centre were undertaken by Or Kim Peow Contractors (Pte) Ltd under contracts RD225 and RD226 for a total contract sum of $8.613 million.
Promenade Extension Works
As part of the race track will run through the promenade fronting the seating gallery of the Marina Bay Floating Platform, road works in this area included the widening of the promenade in front of the seating gallery, strengthening of the Stamford Canal, and the construction of a new road on the promenade and above the canal.
The Promenade extension works were undertaken by Sato Kogyo (Singapore) Pte Ltd under contract RD227 for a contract sum of $5.887 million.
Road Works off Republic Boulevard
To facilitate the start and finish straight of the track as well as access to the Pit Building and the Paddock, there were a series of road works off Republic Boulevard.
The works included the construction of a new 1.2km road alongside the pit building that forms the start and finish straight of the track. In addition, a service road with an underpass for pedestrians and vehicles, connecting Republic Boulevard to the Pit Building was constructed.
The road works off Republic Boulevard were undertaken by Downer EDI Works Pte Ltd under contract RD228 for a contract sum of $9.3million.
Traffic Diversions and Impact to Motorists
To minimise impact to the traffic flow as well as disruption to the establishments in the vicinity, especially during the weekends, resurfacing works took place between Sundays and Thursdays nights only.
When the works were ongoing, provisions were made to ensure that motorists will continue to have alternative access. Directional signs were placed at strategic locations to guide motorists during road closures. Auxillary Police and traffic marshals were also stationed near the closure site to direct motorists and pedestrians.
ANNEX A
About Contractors Involved in F1 Road Works
Or Kim Peow Contractors (Pte) Ltd is a local contractor who has considerable experience in building and maintaining various road infrastructures. It has worked on past road projects such as the widening of Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE), widening of Buangkok Green and the widening of Pan Island Expressway (PIE).
Sato Kogyo Co., Ltd. is a Japanese contractor with offices in Singapore who has considerable experience in building various transport infrastructures. It has undertaken several road and rail construction projects which include the current Boon Lay Extension, the Braddell/Thomson/Lornie Road Interchange, Lorong Chuan Station for CCL and the recently completed Fort Canning Tunnel.
Downer EDI Works Pte Ltd, formerly known as Chan & Chan Pte Ltd has considerable experience in building and maintaining various road infrastructures. It has undertaken several road construction projects which include the current widening of Telok Paku Road and Nicoll Drive as well as the widening of Seletar Expressway (SLE) from Upper Thomson Road to Lentor Avenue.
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Last Updated: 8 July 2008
