First phase in creating Punggol Waterway

The grand idea of transforming Punggol town into first waterfront public housing area in Singapore begins next month as construction becomes ready.

The $144.6 million contract as the part of the first phase construction of Punggol Waterway is awarded to the Civil Engineering Contractor and Koh Brothers Building, said the Housing Board (HDB).

The 2.4 kilometre stretch is expected to be finished late of 2010, the HDB added. The entire waterway is 4.2 kilometres long.

The Punggol Waterway is part of the “Punggol 21-plus” master plan announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the National Day Rally in 2007.

The new town of Punggol will boast new features such as freshwater lakes and waterway running around the place, with homes and housing units centred on the banks.

The coastal suburb of Punggol will also have facilities for gardens and water sports as well as eateries for outdoor dining and parks with jogging tracks, Mr. Lee said during his speech.

The Punggol Waterway will connect Punggol and Sungei Punggol. It has an average depth of 4 metre.

HDB also said that plans to launch first sale sites at Punggol's Town Centre for mixed private and commercial residential developments “are also on track”.

The board already launched over 4,000 flats in the place last year and by the end of 2011, over 23,000 units are expected to be completed and can be seen in the area. In sooner, another 21,000 private and public homes are planned to be built “along the waterway for residents to enjoy waterfront housing”, the HDB added.