Singapore has saved approximately $300 million in construction costs since 2024 by utilizing an enhanced workflow to detect and resolve conflicts between underground utility projects before work begins. Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat announced on June 14 that this initiative has already scrutinized 272km of underground routes, including water pipes, power cables, telecommunications networks, and gas lines.
How Singapore identifies underground utility conflicts
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) implemented an enhanced workflow in 2024 to coordinate planning among various agencies that manage underground infrastructure. According to a joint statement from the URA and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), this process has been applied to major projects such as the Land Transport Authority’s Tuas Road Viaduct Phase 2, the Changi Northern Road corridor, and HDB’s Tengah New Town Phase 4.
To supplement traditional trial trenches, project teams are increasingly using non-invasive technologies like electromagnetic locators and ground-penetrating radars. These tools allow for more accurate mapping of underground assets, reducing the need for exploratory digging that often leads to delays and repeated road openings.
Did You Know? The Government is working toward creating a “digital twin” of the nation’s underground space, mirroring the digital mapping already available for surface-level infrastructure to improve long-term planning.
Why this infrastructure strategy matters
The dense network of underground utilities in Singapore is managed by multiple agencies with separate planning and maintenance cycles, often leading to inaccurate records. Minister Chee noted that when conflicts remain undetected until construction is underway, the result is often costly delays and public inconvenience. By establishing a shared, reliable picture of the underground, the government aims to shorten learning curves and build trust between agencies and international partners.
Expert Insight: The move toward a centralized digital registry represents a significant shift from reactive utility management to a proactive, data-driven model. While the immediate benefit is financial, the long-term stake involves the resilience of urban services against climate shocks and supply chain volatility, which Minister Chee identified as growing threats to global city management.
What could happen next
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is currently developing a centralized online portal where project teams must submit precise infrastructure data after completing works. This effort is expected to build a more comprehensive and reliable record of the nation’s underground environment over time. Additionally, the government plans to scale up the use of non-invasive detection technologies and work with industry stakeholders to establish common standards for sharing utility information.
An international playbook of best practices for building underground asset registers, compiled by global experts, is scheduled for public release in July. This document may provide a framework for other cities grappling with similar challenges in managing complex underground infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary cause of underground utility construction delays?
According to Minister Chee, delays occur because different utility owners manage assets separately and existing records may be inaccurate, leading to undetected conflicts that require exploratory digging once construction has already started.
How are non-invasive technologies being used?
Project teams use electromagnetic locators and ground-penetrating radars to supplement traditional trial trenches. These methods allow for more accurate mapping of what lies beneath the surface before excavation begins.
What is the purpose of the upcoming July publication?
The SLA is releasing a playbook of international best practices for building underground asset registers, which pools the experience of global experts to help cities manage their underground infrastructure more effectively.
How might your own city benefit from a more transparent, digital map of its underground infrastructure?
