In its written reply to a parliamentary question on 14 October 2024, the Ministry of Transport announced that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has conducted a noise-impact assessment for the upcoming Jurong Region Line (JRL) corridor in Choa Chu Kang Central.
The LTA study included existing ambient noise levels from the long-established North‑South Line (NSL) and the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT).
With the installation of noise barriers along the JRL route, the projected combined noise exposure at residential blocks in Choa Chu Kang Central is expected to remain within the limits set by the National Environment Agency (NEA) for residential areas.
The study also anticipates that the new JRL trains will be equipped with noise-dampening wheels, further mitigating noise at source.
With the JRL adding another rail line into the Choa Chu Kang precinct, there has been understandable concern among nearby residents and buyers of executive-condominiums or HDB flats about potential noise escalation. Rail-borne noise can impact comfort, sleep quality, and in some cases even property values.Thanks to the LTA’s proactive assessment:
Residents can be reassured that the combined noise from multiple rail systems is being accounted for, not just the new line in isolation.
Developers, marketers and investors in the Choa Chu Kang / Tengah area now have a credible public reference indicating that noise mitigation is being planned in earnest.
From an urban-planning standpoint, the fact that existing ambient noise levels are included signals a shift towards more holistic noise-management for dense residential-rail corridors.
While the update is positive, a few gaps remain:
The actual measured dB (decibel) figures at specific blocks in Choa Chu Kang Central are not published in the reply.
The timeline for when the noise barriers will be fully installed, and when the new JRL trains with noise-dampening wheels will be in service, is not detailed.
It remains unclear whether every residential block along the corridor will get the same level of mitigation, or whether some locations will face higher exposure (and may need further measures).
If you live in or are buying in the Choa Chu Kang / Tengah region, you may wish to:
Check your distance to the JRL viaduct – noise exposure tends to fall as you move farther from the tracks.
Ask your developer / marketing agent what noise-mitigation features are included in your block: e.g., acoustic glazing, raised slab, vibration dampers, noise-barrier height.
Monitor announcements and construction updates from LTA and MOT for planned barrier installation schedules.
For resale or investment purposes, keep an eye on whether the finished noise-mitigation measures are functioning as promised – this can influence future value and buyer perception.
Singapore’s move to expand its MRT network into new towns such as Tengah means increased rail-adjacency around homes. Studies of elevated rail lines in Singapore and abroad show that noise barriers can reduce exposure by about 5–12 dB(A) when properly installed. ResearchGate+1In dense planning areas like Choa Chu Kang, paying attention to noise is not just about comfort — it’s about sustainable living, asset value, and livability in a modern new-town environment.
The MOT’s update is good news for the Choa Chu Kang / Tengah corridor: it signals that authorities are not only aware of the combined effect of multiple rail lines, but are taking steps to keep the noise levels for residents “within NEA limits”. While it doesn’t entirely eliminate the concern, it certainly reduces some uncertainty — which is a meaningful win in the world of real-estate + transport infrastructure.If you’re considering a purchase in the area (especially an executive condominium like the upcoming project along Plantation Close) this kind of noise-study disclosure is a positive factor to highlight and monitor. source: MOT
