Summary Reader Response Outline

Summarized Article’s Main Idea + Thesis Statement: (Level I Controlling Idea)

According to an online article, “Nature Group Seeks More Information on Impact of Cross Island Site Investigations” from Today Online (2018), the drilling works in MacRitchie forest for the Cross Island MRT line has led to concerns due to the lack of details that affirm the effectiveness of precautions taken by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Ms Chloe Tan, project manager of Love Our MacRitchie Forest group has received questions for LTA from nine parties. Camera traps were set up three to six months before and after works to validate measures. The data collected was studied and the project was classified to have a “mainly moderate” impact on wildlife. The harm of the on-site investigation works included drillings of 16 boreholes to study the earth conditions for the MRT line to determine a tunnel under MacRitchie forest or to skirt around it. Nonetheless, LTA will be working with the various agencies on the second phase of assessment to forecast the impact of both alignments.

Drilling works in MacRitchie forest causes minimal panic and commotion amongst wildlife and the public.

1. First Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

Camera traps recorded the presence of wildlife such as the lesser mousedeer and the critically endangered Sunda Pangolin.

1. Second Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

90 camera traps were placed within a restricted area and findings suggested that similar fauna were present in the areas before and after site investigation works.

1. Third Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

An environmental impact assessment was done prior to the site investigation works and was classified to have “mainly moderate” impact if the proper precautions were taken.

Your Main Idea/Thesis Statement: (Level I Controlling Idea)

Tunneling works under MacRitchie forest will be more favorable rather than skirting around it.

1. First Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

LTA is taking the necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of wildlife in MacRitchie forest.

1. Explanation of the supporting idea

LTA has done the necessary precautions to reduce the impact on wildlife by having a detailed plan on how are they going to do their site investigations and operate machines in the forest.

1. Example or citation which supports your assertion

There was a comprehensive suite of mitigation measures, said LTA, such as reducing the number of boreholes required for the works from 72 to 16. 

In https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/mrt-soil-probe-steps-to-ease-impact-on-wildlife-working

1. Other statements which help support your assertion

1. Second Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

An additional cost of $2 billion to skirt around MacRitchie and also affecting homes of residents living in the area.

1. Explanation of the supporting idea

As skirting around MacRitchie will take a longer route, more work has to be done in built up areas and also the procurement of more residential land to build worksites and building facilities.

1. Example or citation which supports your assertion

Both options are feasible with adequate mitigation measures, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA), which has completed a major study of the potential impact of construction works on the environment and residents. Skirting the reserve would make for a longer route and is also the more expensive option.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/cross-island-line-running-under-nature-reserve-or-skirting-it-both-feasible-says

1. Other statements which help support your assertion

1. Third Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

Shorter traveling time for commuters and beneficial for those needing to travel across Singapore.

1. Explanation of the supporting idea

Having shorter traveling time gives commuters the flexibility to choose their traveling path as well as reducing the congestion from the other MRT lines.

1. Example or citation which supports your assertion

Is expected to benefit over 100,000 households and reduce travel time by 50 to 70 minutes.

https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2019/1/177791/future-cross-island-line-to-cut-travel-time-by-up-to-70-mins

1. Other statements which help support your assertion

VII. Conclusion - Review of Main Idea (Tying Yours and That of the Summarized Article)

Building a tunnel underneath MacRitchie reservoir will cause panic to the public and ecosystem but this could be reduced drastically if the right steps were taken. LTA needs to study their data given and also work in hand with the various experts as well to share this data with the public. It will be more sensible to go across MacRitchie as it will reduce congestion in the other MRT lines.

Summary Reader Response Draft 1

According to an online article, “Nature Group Seeks More Information on Impact of Cross Island Site Investigations” from Today Online (2018), the drilling works in MacRitchie forest for the Cross Island MRT line has led to concerns due to the lack of details that affirm the effectiveness of precautions taken by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Ms Chloe Tan, project manager of Love Our MacRitchie Forest group has received questions for LTA from nine parties. Camera traps were set up three to six months before and after works to validate measures. The data collected was studied and the project was classified to have a “mainly moderate” impact on wildlife. The harm of the on-site investigation works included drillings of 16 boreholes to study the earth conditions for the MRT line to determine a tunnel under MacRitchie forest or to skirt around it. Nonetheless, LTA will be working with the various agencies on the second phase of assessment to forecast the impact of both alignments since that there has been a debate on the after effects for residents living in the area. Hence, tunnelling works under MacRitchie forest will be more favourable rather than skirting around it. 

Environmental organisations such as National Parks Board and other nature groups have been working with LTA for over three years before the site investigation started. LTA was aware of the environmental impact in which, there was a significant reduction of required boreholes from 72 to 16 (LTA as cited in Wong, 2018). There was also a comprehensive plan that instructs workers on how to operate the engine pump to avoid petrol leakage (Wong, 2018). The actions taken by LTA shows that they are taking all the necessary precautions to reduce the impact of the ecosystem. 

Moreover, the cost to skirt around MacRitchie reservoir will be an additional $2 billion as compared to going under MacRitchie reservoir (Toh, 2019). The writer mentions that an additional $2 billion will be needed to skirt around MacRitchie reservoir as there is more work that needs to be done along the alternative route. This created fear for residents living in the area as they might need to relocate due to the government procuring more land for the construction (Lim, 2016). It includes three work sites and a building facility as well as ventilation shafts to circulate air inside the tunnel (Chong as cited in Lim, 2016). 

Building the Cross Island line across could save commuters 6 minutes of travelling time as it will be 5km shorter as compared to skirting around MacRitchie reservoir (Toh, 2019). With the reduction in travelling time, commuters travelling across the island will be able to save up to 50 to 70 minutes in travel time (Minister Khaw as cited in Navaratnarajah, 2019). I strongly believe that this new MRT line will reduce the congestion by giving commuters more flexibility in getting to their destination. 

In conclusion, the option to go underneath MacRitchie reservoir will cause concerns to the public and might potentially impact the environment in Singapore. However, this concerns can be mitigated by LTA doing their part to do all the relevant data collection and precautions needed before deciding which will be the way forward. If LTA is able to reassure the public by sharing their data collected and working closely with the relevant communities, building the Cross Island MRT line underneath MacRitchie will be better for Singapore. 

References 

Wong, D. (2018). MRT soil probe: Steps to ease impact on wildlife working. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/mrt-soil-probe-steps-to-ease-impact-on-wildlife-working 

Toh, W (2019). Cross Island Line: Running under nature reserve or skirting it both feasible, says LTA. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/cross-island-line-running-under-nature-reserve-or-skirting-it-both-feasible-says 

Lim, A (2016). Cross Island Line sparks residents' fears. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/cross-island-line-sparks-residents-fears 

Navaratnarajah, R. (2019). Future Cross Island Line to cut travel time by up to 70 mins. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2019/1/177791/future-cross-island-line-to-cut-travel-time-by-up-to-70-mins

Cross Island Site Investigation Summary Draft 2

According to an article, “Nature Group Seeks More Information on Impact of Cross Island Site Investigations” from Today Online (2018), the drilling works in MacRitchie forest for the Cross Island MRT line has led to concerns due to the lack of details that affirm the effectiveness of precautions taken by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Ms. Chloe Tan, project manager of Love Our MacRitchie Forest group has received questions for LTA from nine parties. Camera traps were set up three to six months before and after works to validate measures. The data collected was studied and the project was classified to have a “mainly moderate” impact on wildlife. The harm of the on-site investigation works included drillings of 16 boreholes to study the earth conditions for the MRT line to determine a tunnel under MacRitchie forest or to skirt around it. Nonetheless, LTA will be working with the various agencies on the second phase of assessment to forecast the impact of both alignments.

Cross Island Site Investigation Summary Draft 1

The drilling works in Macritchie forest for the future Cross Island MRT line has led to concerns due to the lack of details and findings that affirm the effectiveness of precautions took by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Ms Chloe Tan, project manager of Love Our Macritchie Forest group has then welcomed the public to send in queries about how the LTA carried out the monitoring of fauna activities.

Camera traps were set up three to six months before and after works to validate measures. The data collected was studied and LTA classified the project will have a “mainly moderate” impact on the wildlife. The harm of the on-site investigation works included drillings of 16 boreholes to study the earth conditions for the MRT line to determine a tunnel under the nature reserve or to skirt around it. Nonetheless, the second phase of the assessment is ongoing to forecast the impact of both alignments.

Blog Post #1 - Formal Letter

Subject: Self Introduction

To Mdm Fazilah,

My name is Lewis Wee, a graduate from Temasek Polytechnic with a Diploma in Infocomm and Network Engineering. The reason why I chose Engineering despite having a sea of choices is because of how intriguing machines and humans work in sync to interact with one another to get work done. It makes me eager to learn more and have a deeper understanding on whatever that goes on behind that human eyes do not usually give much attention and thoughts to. Being a student of Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Land), I am given the opportunity to build the future of Singapore’s public transport system. 

In terms of communication weakness, I am not very strong in my vocabulary and grammar. At times, I may have trouble communicating my thoughts into words which then would lead to slight miscommunication. Nevertheless, the thesaurus will be my best friend in helping me improve my English. On the other hand, I am competent to stand in front of a crowd and present myself confidently. Most importantly, I am able to be a team player which would definitely help in group projects.

One of my two goals for this module is to sharpen my English writing skills so that upon graduation, I am able to write professionally. Having the ability to write clear and concise English is a skill that many lacks and it would be very advantageous if I were to be able to present myself properly especially in the real working world where the competition is everywhere. 

Another goal for me is to be able to give and receive feedback appropriately. Undeniably, it is often tougher to receive negative feedback as I will question my work in return. Nonetheless, it is always good to have honest feedback so that I can improve on my work. Likewise, I hope that I can also benefit my friends and group mates with my feedback for them if need to, so that we can all learn together.

Thank you for your time to read this through.

Yours sincerely,

Lewis Wee

SIE2016 T3 Group 2