Forum: Stricter checks on road surfaces needed after work done

Singapore is one of the few countries in the world where there are virtually no overhead cables outdoors and almost all our electrical cables, water pipes, telecommunications lines, gas pipes and other wiring and piping are underground.

This keeps our roads neat and aesthetically pleasing, and also keeps the environment safe. There is no risk of electrocution, fire or storm damage, and there is no vulnerability to falling trees or wind, but the trade-off is that maintenance work requires digging into the roads to access these cables and piping.

Unfortunately, the resurfacing of roads after such works is often not done to a satisfactory standard. Many patches remain uneven, with bumps, depressions or even holes. Motorists bear the brunt of these poor finishes, which can damage vehicle suspension systems, affect wheel sensors and cause misalignment over time.

I encounter several of these uneven road patches daily. Recently, during my routine vehicle inspection, my car passed all checks except wheel alignment. My mechanic attributed the misalignment to the uneven road surfaces I frequently drive over. While it may not be the sole cause, the correlation is difficult to ignore.

Could the Land Transport Authority consider implementing stricter checks on road surfaces after they are patched, to ensure they are properly levelled and are safe for motorists? This would go a long way in maintaining both the quality of our roads and the reliability of our vehicles.

Ken Seah