Contract Awards - Tanjong Rhu, Katong Park & Marine Parade

Compilation of the contracts that have been tendered and awarded to date.

Earlier today the Land Transport Authority announced the award of contracts for 3 stations along the East Coast sector of the Thomson - East Coast Line (TEL). Tanjong Rhu, Katong Park and Marine Terrace stations were awarded to their respective contractors with construction expected to begin by the end of this quarter.

Graphical representation of Contract T303 for the construction of Tanjong Rhu station and cut-and-cover tunnels between Gardens Bay East and Katong Park stations.
Self-produced graphic.

Contract T303 is for the construction of Tanjong Rhu station. The station is a side platform station, similar to Downtown and Telok Ayer stations along the Downtown Line. It will have two entrances located on either side of Tanjong Rhu Road. Also part of the contract is construction of the cut-and-cover tunnels on either end of the station. On the western end, the tunnels stretch to the end of Tanjong Rhu Road near Pebble Bay condominium. On the eastern end, the tunnels go under Tanjong Rhu Lane, passing by Camelot on the Water to end at the KPE tunnels. There will be no use of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) in this contract although the eastern end of the cut-and-cover tunnels will be used for neighbouring contract T305's contractor for launching TBMs towards Katong Park station.

A view of cut-and-cover construction for the Canada Line in Vancouver.
Credit: Jillian Glover and The Vancouver Sun

Cut-and-cover tunnels are a method used whereby a temporary trench is dug in the ground to make way for the permanent tunnel structure. Once the required depth is attained, the permanent structure of the tunnel is cast and spoil placed back over the completed structure. Benefits of this method of construction include being a quicker method of construction than bored tunneling. However, this method also tends to be more disruptive at surface level as compared to other methods.

A render of one of the entrances at Tanjong Rhu station.
Credit: Land Transport Authority

This contract was awarded to a joint venture between Bachy Solentanche and Wai Fong Construction, which happen to be the lowest bidder. Bachy Solentanche has had prior experience constructing a station in a built up location with their prior contract to construct the Telok Ayer station on the DTL.

A render of Tanjong Rhu station at the concourse level. This shows the station area near the fare gates located midway along
the subway connecting the two entrances.
Credit: Land Transport Authority

The layout of the station itself will be similar to that of Telok Ayer station as well, with the entrance subways lining up perpendicularly to the fare line.

Graphical representation of Contract T305 for the construction of Katong Park station and bored tunnels between Tanjong
Rhu and Amber stations.
Self-produced graphic.

Contract T305 is for the construction of Katong Park station. The contract also calls for the construction of tunnels linking Katong Park station with neighbouring Tanjong Rhu and Amber stations. Due to space constraints along the corridor, tunnels will have to be stacked with one located directly above the other. During the construction period, TBMs will be launched from the launch shaft at the eastern end of contract T303's cut-and-cover tunnels. The machines will crawl their way through Katong Park station and only emerge again at Amber station, limiting the amount of heavy works required.

A render of entrance B, located along Meyer Road.
Credit: Land Transport Authority

This station will feature stacked platforms where the platforms for each direction are located on differing levels like Stevens and Promenade stations on the DTL. Similar to Tanjong Rhu station, two entrances will serve this station.

A render of the upper platform level of Katong Park station. The fare gates will also be located at this level.
Credit: Land Transport Authority

The design of the station calls for fare gates at the upper platform level with escalator and elevator links available in the fare-paid area unlike the current set up for Stevens station. This contract has been awarded to Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co (STEC), who built the Newton and Promenade interchange stations on the DTL.

Graphical representation of Contract T308 for the construction of Marine Terrace station and bored tunnels towards Siglap.
Self-produced graphic.

Finally, contract T308 is for the construction of Marine Terrace station. The contract also includes the construction of bored tunnels towards Siglap station on the eastern end which precludes a launch shaft being constructed at the eastern end of the station to facilitate tunneling work.

A render of one of the six entrances of Marine Terrace station.
Credits: Land Transport Authority

Marine Terrace station will be served by a network of entrances with a total of six as opposed to Tanjong Rhu and Katong Park's two entrances each. The station will also boast an underground bicycle park for commuters to keep their bicycles out of the inclement weather.

Render of the ticket concourse level of Marine Terrace station. The entrance subway is also visible.
Credits: Land Transport Authority

This station features the conventional island platform which serves trains running in both directions with a centrally located platform. Contract T308 has been awarded to a joint venture of Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co and Ssangyong Engineering & Construction Co. Both have been involved in the construction of stations along the DTL.

Work at all three contracts are expected to begin by the end of the first quarter of 2016. Residents in the area can expect clearing of the site to begin, similar to that taking place at Marine Parade currently.