LTA tests temporary road markings and longer work hours for underground utility works

SINGAPORE – The use of road markings to inform motorists of temporary road surfaces is one of the new initiatives the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is testing to better manage roadworks for utilities that could last several weeks.

These markings signal to motorists that a road surface is temporary and could be bumpy.

To facilitate traffic flow from 6.30am to 9.30am and 5pm to 8pm amid utility works, these temporary surface patches are laid manually by workers daily using a plate compactor – a tool that vibrates rapidly and presses down the backfilled soil.

This process is faster – a portion constructed in an hour by using a plate compactor would take half a day to be made if heavy machinery like rollers is involved.

These portions of the road are not as smooth and level as permanent road surfaces where heavy machinery is used to compact asphalt, graded stone, cement dust and sand, LTA said.

The temporary road markings – depicting a workman within a triangle – were tested in Chancery Lane near Catholic Junior College and Dalvey Road near Botanic Gardens for around two months each.

Those roadworks have since been completed.

LTA noted that surveys showed most residents felt the markings were useful in helping them understand the bumpy roads they might have experienced were temporary.

Additionally, it received feedback that the road markings – previously 50cm by 50cm – were too small for motorists to spot, and has since changed their dimensions to around 1m by 1m.

The trial has been expanded to roadworks taking place along River Valley Road, and will include other locations in Singapore that have not been confirmed yet.

Heavy machinery is not used in the construction of temporary road surfaces to limit the level of disturbance caused to motorists and residents in the area, said LTA.

During a media visit to the River Valley Road roadworks site on Sept 23, The Straits Times observed workers keeping a tight schedule, excavating the site to lay telecommunication cables and paving the temporary surface around 3.45pm, so the road could reopen by 5pm for the evening rush hour.

This could change on less busy roads if LTA extends daily roadwork hours, speeding up the installation of utilities such as electricity cables or water and gas pipes.

This would also reduce the number of temporary reinstatements of road surfaces, leading to smoother road conditions for motorists.

This is currently being piloted, and more details will be given by the end of 2025, said LTA.

The authority added that the two initiatives are being studied to better manage the impact of roadworks because more utility works are expected to be carried out to support ageing infrastructure and new developments.