T312 - Sungei Bedok update Q1 2024

 

Layout & numbering of exits at Sungei Bedok station.

17 March 2024 - A view of road reconfiguration works looking westwards to Bayshore.

Contract T312 is for the construction of Sungei Bedok station and associated cut & cover tunnels to the west of the station. These tunnels will house tracks allowing trains to switch directions before or after leaving the station on their westward journeys towards Woodlands North once operational. As a result of the construction technique chosen, there is some incidental space above the tracks which will be sealed up initially. The long-term plan is that this space can eventually be leased out as commercial space - be it for retail, food & beverage or even potentially offices or education centres.

This section of incidental space stretches from the location of the current Upper East Coast bus terminal up to Exits 1 and 2 of the Sungei Bedok station. Due to provisions for fire evacuation once the incidental space is opened up for commercial use in future, several emergency egress points need to be constructed, resulting in the numerous surface structures seen along Upper East Coast Road between the bus terminal and the station building. These structures are often confused by passersby as part of the station building.

T311 - Bedok South update Q1 2024

A map of the Bedok South station with the exits numbered.

 

17 March 2024 - A view of Exit 5 in front of Bedok South Horizons build to order precinct.

Bedok South was in the news recently, when the Land Transport Authority (LTA) updated that phase 5 of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s opening would be pushed from 2025 to 2026 owing to delays at Xilin station. Due to the integrated fire protection system at Sungei Bedok station where the lines intersect, the lines cannot be opened separately. Nonetheless, progress is on track at Bedok South station with all 5 exits now proceeding with construction work well above surface level. We take a look at the progress made over Q1 of the year in greater detail after the jump.

T310 - Bayshore update Q1 2024

 

17 March 2024 - Exit 2 of the station in the evening with Bayshore's iconic condominiums towering
behind.

Bayshore station was built under contract T310 by a joint venture between Woh Hup and Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co, both firms that were responsible for other stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s phase 4. This station was also the third station along this section of line to be designed by architectural firm SAA Architects, that were also responsible for other stations such as Lentor and Orchard on the TEL's other phases. One noticeable difference in the design of Bayshore station is the open, airy feel of the exits which rely mostly on a metal frame with bits of paneling and roof attached to it - there is barely any concrete used in the design of these exits.

T309 - Siglap update Q1 2024

 

17 March 2024 - A view of the Siglap station site.

Siglap station is pretty much complete with only some landscaping remaining to be done. Oh, and perhaps a few signs to install. But other than that, the station is completed. Designed by architectural firm SAA Architects, this is the second of the stations designed by the firm that feature exits using a concrete shell encased in cladding. It also happens to be the last of the stations designed by them along this stretch to use this method. With works completed, all that is left to do is to tidy up the site and await for opening day.

T308 - Marine Terrace update Q1 2024

 

10 February 2024 - An aerial view of Exits 1 and 4 of Marine Terrace station during the day.

17 March 2024 - An evening view of Marine Terrace's Exits 1 and 4.

As the opening of the section along the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s phase 4 draws nearer, we check in at the progress of works at Marine Terrace station. The station was designed by local architecture firm SAA Architects, now part of the Surbana Jurong group. Featuring 6 entrances along the station's length, construction was completed by a joint venture between Korea's Ssangyong & Hyundai Engineering & Construction. Works at the station are largely completed, save for some portions of road reinstatement, installation of commuter facilities and landscaping around the work site.

TEL 4 & 5 - A snapshot in March 2024

A compilation of images of TE23 to TE31 stations in March 2024.
Top (L - R): TE23 - Tanjong Rhu, TE24 - Katong Park, TE25 - Tanjong Katong
Middle (L - R): TE26 - Marine Parade, TE27 - Marine Terrace, TE28 - Siglap
Bottom (L - R): TE29 - Bayshore, TE30 - Bedok South, TE31 - Sungei Bedok

It's exactly 3 months to go till the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s phase 4 section opens. This section of the line will bring rail service to an area that has long been in need of a rail connection but had to rely on bus services only, despite the relatively short distance to the Central Business District and Marina Bay areas. Nonetheless, the section of the line is about to open and we check in on the progress of the stations in the lead up to their official opening for revenue service - including the 2 stations along phase 5 whose opening has been pushed back a year to 2026 instead.

T307 - Marine Parade update Q1 2024

 

10 February 2024 - A view of Exit 2 during the day.

10 March 2024 - A view of Exit 2 in the evening.

With the stations along the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s phase 4 months away from opening, we check in at Marine Parade to view the progress made at the station. Of all the stations, this one appears to be the straggler of the bunch. While Founders' Memorial station has its station name signs installed, none of the exits at Marine Parade have these yet. Come take a closer look with us as we recap the station's progress over Q1 of the year.