Selected loops on the Sengkang- Punggol Light Rail Transit (LRT) system will run in only one direction on Sundays over the next five months, from Dec 20, to facilitate maintenance works.

While LRT services will still be available on the affected days, loops will need to be closed in one direction for safety reasons, said operator SBS Transit. The power supply on the guideways - paths on which the light rail vehicle moves - will be turned off.

The works will start on Dec 20, with the closures of the Sengkang East loop, in the direction of Compassvale station, and the Sengkang West loop, in the direction of Cheng Lim station. There will be no maintenance works on Dec 27, but on Jan 3 next year, the Sengkang East (via Ranggung) and Sengkang West (via Renjong) loops will be closed.

The other loops will be closed in turn on subsequent Sundays, with the works expected to last until May 8. All closed loops are expected to resume service at 5.30pm on the affected days.

SBS Transit said the works are to maintain the guideways, which can become "bumpy" over time because of wear and tear. They will ensure commuters get a smooth and comfortable ride, it added. "Our engineers will be hacking concrete and cutting metal as part of the maintenance works. This may be quite noisy and temporary noise barriers will be put up to reduce noise."

Commuters will be told of the closures via announcements and posters at stations.

Adrian Lim