TEL4 & 5 year-end update 2023

The 10 stations along the East Coast section of the Thomson-East Coast Line as at end-2023.

 2023 has been an eventful year that has seen the completion of most stations along Phase 4 of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) and the continued work on the stations along Phase 5. With Phase 4 due to come online next year, testing has been underway for some time before the section is handed over to operator SMRT to conduct staff familiarisation and training sessions. While most of the Phase 4 stations are on target with construction, some have sections that still require more work to be done before they can be completed and ready for the temporary occupancy permit (TOP) inspection. We take a look back at 2023 in this final post for TEL of the year.

TEL 4 & 5 - A snapshot in November 2023

 

An overview of TEL4 & 5 stations TE23 to TE31 in November 2023.
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

We hope you've been enjoying our quarterly updates on the construction progress of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) east coast section stations. In order to be more current, this is the snapshot feature that provides you with a simpler update of the progress in the current month. As we look into 2024 coming around soon, everyone is anticipating the opening of 7 stations under phase 4. We'll eventually be winding down coverage of the progress of these stations seeing how works are somewhat ramping down and changes here will not be as drastic. Coverage of the phase 5 stations will continue and the freed up time will allow us to cover other rail projects in greater detail. Nonetheless, do enjoy the November snapshot for TEL!

T312 - Sungei Bedok update Q3 2023

 

23 September 2023 - A view of the exit in front of Bedok camp with the metal roof frame in place.

The last contract for the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) is T312 for the construction of Sungei Bedok station and cut & cover tunnels. Over the last quarter, the station's exits have begun to take shape with the roofs being installed. Typically, the exits would be the last parts of the station to be completed after all materials have been delivered through the openings into the station's interior. With work on the exits at the station proceeding, the station is entering into the final stages of completion. Once the escalators are installed, unless the station has special openings, it is relatively difficult for big & bulky materials such as ventilation ducts, escalators or pallets to be brought in.

T311 - Bedok South update Q3 2023

 

23 September 2023 - A view of Exit 3, one of the furthest along in progress.

Progress over the past quarter at Bedok South station has been a little mixed. 2 of the exits - Exits 2 & 3 - are located in a greenfield site. These exits have been further ahead in progress for a while now as they are located in a rather undeveloped tract of land, akin to that of Bayshore station. The remaining 3 exits for the station - Exits 1, 4 & 5 - sit further away from the main station box and are slower in progress. That said, the level of completion of Exits 2 & 3 do not appear to have progressed over the past quarter in a visible manner as compared to the other 3.

T310 - Bayshore update Q3 2023

 

23 September 2023 - An aerial view of the station's exits along Bayshore Drive at the end of Q3.

23 September 2023 - A close up view of Exit 2 of the station with the LED train arrival board
visibly lit to inform passers by that the station is not open for service.

Bayshore station was built on a greenfield site that provided the contractor, Woh-Hup - Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co some convenience in being able to construct the station without having to be wary of utility lines that must be handled with care. While there were other challenges to consider, such as the location of an old sea wall that might have impacted tunneling and excavation, the location of the station brought about other benefits when it came to construction methods. The station is one of the few, if not the only station, along phase 4 that could be built using the bottom-up method. This method of construction without having to worry about constrained worksites, likely contributed to the station's quick construction. We take a closer look at the progress made over the past quarter in this post.

T309 - Siglap update Q3 2023

 

23 September 2023 - A view of the finishings at Exit C of Siglap station.

Over the past quarter, the finishing touches have been added to Siglap station on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s phase 4 section. Early in the quarter, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) & Minister of Transport then, S Iswaran, released a few images of the TEL4 stations. Two of these images showed the interior of Siglap station which features a grey and blue colour scheme. There are also accents of sky blue which likely reflects the area's heritage as a seaside estate.

Interior of Siglap station.
Source: S Iswaran

Interior of Siglap station.
Source: LTA

TEL 4 & 5 - A snapshot in October 2023

 

An overview of TEL4 & 5 stations TE23 to TE31 in October 2023.
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

In addition to our quarterly updates of the various stations along this section of the line, we have a condensed update based on the months called the Snapshot feature. Drawing inspiration from last year's TEL3@Night, here's the October snapshot for the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) phase 4 & 5 stations.

T308 - Marine Terrace update Q3 2023

 

3 September 2023

The Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) Phase 4 is slowly inching towards completion and so is Marine Terrace station. Over Q3, the site has slowly been tidying up as works shift towards getting the station completed and readied for handover to the client - the Land Transport Authority (LTA). LTA will subsequently handover the station to the eventual line operator before the station is ultimately opened.

2 June 2023 - A recap on the layout of the station's exits. The numbering starts with the main
exit located in the heart of Marine Terrace estate and makes a clockwise rotation.

T307 - Marine Parade update Q3 2023

 

23 September 2023 - A view of workers at Exit A with Parkway Parade's office tower in the
background.

Of all the stations along phase 4 of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) stretch due to open next year, Marine Parade is the largest. With a future total of 7 exits, it also has the most number of entry points into the station along the sector as well. Of the 7, 3 connect directly to the main station box and 4 to the adjoining commercial subway that sits atop the cripple siding tunnels. Progress of the 3 exits that connect to the main station box is more advanced than those connecting to the commercial subway.

T306 - Tanjong Katong update Q3 2023

 

23 September 2023

Tanjong Katong station along Tanjong Katong Road South has pretty much wrapped up most of its construction. Work within the last quarter has been focused on the finishing touches, such as completing the skylight that will allow natural light to illuminate the concourse area. We'll be updating this post in a month-by-month format.

T303 - Tanjong Rhu update Q3 2023

 

23 September 2023 - A view of the station buildings with condominiums in the background.

The Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) phase 4 stations are inching closer to completion. It has been a long 7 years since construction of the section broke ground at Marine Parade in 2016. Relief is in sight for the residents of Tanjong Rhu as the station nears completion with the line's opening looming ahead in 2024. Owing to the tight site constraints, work has had to be done in phases in order to squeeze the station and tunnels into the neighbourhood. The station's surface level structures consist of 4 buildings - 2 exits and 2 ancillary buildings. Exit 1 is located to the south, while Exit 2 is at the northern end of the station. Here's a look at the station's progress over the last quarter.

T305 - First TEL4 station with station name sign | Katong Park update Q3 2023

 

23 September 2023 - A view of Exit 1 of Katong Park station.

23 September 2023 - Station name signage can be seen at Exit 1.

We're kicking off the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s Q3 update at Katong Park. The stacked side platform station will feature 2 exits with Exit 1 located within the park itself and Exit 2 located along Fort Road. Both exits are significantly complete with most of the observable architectural works ready. Exit 1 even has the station name sign up and in place.

TEL 4 & 5 - A snapshot in September 2023

 

An overview of TEL stations TE22A to TE25 in September 2023.
Top (L - R): TE22A - Founders' Memorial, TE23 - Tanjong Rhu
Bottom (L - R): TE24 - Katong Park, TE25 - Tanjong Katong

An overview of TEL stations TE26 to TE29 in September 2023.
Top (L - R): TE26 - Marine Parade, TE27 - Marine Terrace
Bottom (L - R): TE28 - Siglap, TE29 - Bayshore

An overview of TEL stations TE30 & TE31 in September 2023.
Top: TE30 - Bedok South
Bottom: TE31 - Sungei Bedok

Here's a brief update of the status of the 10 stations being built under the East Coast section of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) under phases 4 and 5 of the line.

T312 - Sungei Bedok update August 2023

 

9 August 2023 - A view of the station exit behind Bedok Food Centre.

It's been a while since we've had a look at what contractor KTC has been up to over at Sungei Bedok station's work site. Over the last month, we've paid the site a few visits and managed to get some pictures to update on the progress being made. Works are definitely at a less advanced stage than the stations along phase 4 of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) with completion of these stations only due around the first quarter of 2025.

T311 - Bedok South August 2023 update

 

6 August 2023 - A view of the progress at Exit 5

Being under phase 5 of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), Bedok South station's progress is a little slower than that of the other stations on the line's east coast stretch. Nonetheless, work on the station has been progressing with 4 of the station's 5 exits having the metal roof structure put into place.

T310 - Bayshore August 2023 update

 

6 August 2023 - Bayshore station, Exit 1 we presume

It has been a hot minute since we visited Bayshore station. Let's be real - the site is not one that has good vantage points and there was limited scope in capturing much that was photo-worthy. We're sorry, but just didn't have many leads for accessing vantage points where it was worth capturing shots. But nonetheless, we were informed by some followers that a new road had opened up recently and thus we went down to see what we could capture.

T302 - Founders' Memorial update Q2 2023 & GBME Shaft

 

2 July 2023 - An aerial view of the contract T302 work site for Founders' Memorial station.

During the release of images by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) phase 4 stations, contract T302's Founders' Memorial station was omitted from the update. This is likely due to the fact that Founders' Memorial was originally intended to be a shell station for fit out at a later stage. As such, its full construction was brought forward to tie in with the opening of the memorial. In lieu of an official update, we bring to you an interim update from July 2023 - sufficiently near enough to June to be considered as a late Q2 2023 update. As an added bonus, we're also covered the Gardens by the Bay Marina East escape shaft in this post.

T309 - Siglap update Q2 2023

 

8 June 2023 - Exit B of Siglap station, illuminated for night works.

As we press on further east, our updates bring us to contract T309 for the construction of Siglap station. Brought to you by a joint venture between John Holland & Zhen Hua (Singapore) Engineering Pte Ltd. Previously, John Holland had completed Springleaf station and the Tagore box under contract T208 for the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) phase 2. Work at Siglap station is progressing well, with some illumination from the station permanent lighting noted. Covered linkways are beginning to go up as well and the road infrastructure & pedestrian paths are slowly being reinstated. We'll delve into these a bit more in our post.

TEL4 Update by LTA & Minister of Transport

 

Marine Parade station. A TEL train can be seen at the platform.
Source: LTA

Yesterday, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Minister of Transport, S Iswaran, teased several images of the 7 stations under phase 4 of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) - Tanjong Rhu, Katong Park, Tanjong Katong, Marine Parade, Marine Terrace, Siglap & Bayshore. These stations are due to open in 2024, with an indicative completion of works date by the end of Q1 of 2024. The line may open shortly after the completion of works. An eighth station that is part of Phase 4 - Founders' Memorial - will open at a later date, closer to the completion of the memorial. The images released by LTA & Minister of Transport are available on our Instagram & Facebook stories as well.

T308 - Marine Terrace update Q2 2023

 

2 June 2023 - A view of Exit 6, the cooling tower & reinstated open air car park in the evening.

Quite a lot has gone on in the past quarter at contract T308 for the construction of Marine Terrace station. The temporary car park has been closed, the former open air car park has been reinstated, the temporary pedestrian overhead bridge (POB) has been closed & decommissioned and station architectural works are progressing. All within the last quarter alone. Let's unpack how the work has gone & what has been done.

2 July 2023 - A similar view during the day.

T307 - Marine Parade update Q2 2023

 

2 June 2023 - A view of Exit A seen in the evening, along Marine Parade Road.

Diagram showing the various exits at the station. For ease of reference, we will be using the
lettering as above when referencing to the various exits.
Source: Grand Mercure Roxy

Contract T307 is for the construction of Marine Parade station and associated tunnels is one of the highly anticipated stations along the East Coast stretch of the line Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). The station will open up connections for the area which includes several hotels, Parkway Parade & I12 Katong malls, the surrounding neighbourhoods & Marine Parade town centre, where the hawker centre can be found. Adjoining the station will be a cut & cover tunnel which houses a cripple siding at track level and a pedestrian retail linkway at concourse level. The cut & cover tunnel will be connected to 4 exits (D - F & Marine Parade CC exit).

T306 - Tanjong Katong update Q2 2023

 

28 May 2023 - Roof for the pick-up/drop-off  (PUDO) shelter at the station main exit seen during
the evening.

20 May 2023 - The station main exit and PUDO shelter seen during the day.
Image by Seloloving.

Continuing our Q2 update heading east on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), our next stop is Tanjong Katong, formerly known as Amber. Another stacked platform station to fit into the tight station site at Tanjong Katong Road South, the station amazingly features 3 exits. That's more than some of the stations on the Circle or Downtown Lines. Works are at a pretty advanced stage with most of the lighting and station fittings in place. We were not able to observe any signage boards however.

T305 - Katong Park update Q2 2023

 

28 May 2023 - A view of Exit 1 during the evening.

20 May 2023 - A view of Exit 1 during the day.
Image by Seloloving.

Despite Katong Park being one of the deeper stations along the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) phase 4 due to its stacked configuration, the station has progressed quickly with the installation of architectural components. Electrical fittings are also being installed and the station has progressed to using its own permanent lighting to illuminate the work areas. We'd like to thank Seloloving for providing us with some photos to use in this update.

T303 - Tanjong Rhu update Q2 2023

 

10 May 2023 - A view of the Exit 2 during the day time.

28 May 2023 - A view of Exit 2 at night.

With the first section of the East Coast sector of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) consisting of 7 stations due to open next year, we did a few check ins to view the progress of the stations both during the day and evening. Starting off with the first new station on phase 4 of the TEL, Tanjong Rhu, we'll be working our way further east.

T312 - Sungei Bedok update Q1 2023

 

19 February 2023 - A view of the western exits with the lift shafts coming up.

Sungei Bedok is the final station on this stretch of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), till works on the extension to Changi Airport begin. Thus it is fitting that we end our Q1 2023 update at this station, which will be a stacked interchange station also serving the Downtown Line (DTL). Yes, we will not be including progress at Bayshore station under TEL4 in this Q1 update - largely due to the fact that there is not much to update at that particular site. Nonetheless, let us dive into the Sungei Bedok update.

T302 - Founders' Memorial Q1 2023 update

 

23 March 2023

Founders' Memorial station is a bit of a peculiar one, being planned with the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) stage 4 under contract E1003, but as a shell station box akin to that of Tagore on TEL2. Initially, the contract T302 called for the "Construction of Facility Building and tunnels for the TEL". Nonetheless, the station is on its way to being fully built out. Featuring 2 exits on either end of the station, work is progressing with the concrete structures completed. Equipment is being installed at both exits, with the northern exit also doubling up as a cooling plant.

T307 - Marine Parade Q1 2023 update

 

23 March 2023 - A view of Exits B and A along Marine Parade Road.

Marine Parade station under contract T307, appears to be the slowest moving among all the 7 stations under the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) phase 4 that will be operational next year. That said, the station is definitely not on the level of completion that Great World station along TEL3 was in the months and weeks leading up to that section's opening.

T306 - Tanjong Katong Q1 2023 update

 

23 February 2023 - A view of Exits A (left) & C (right) from Tanjong Katong Road South.

Moving along eastwards, the next station along the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) is Tanjong Katong. The station is located at the intersection of Meyer Road & Tanjong Katong Road South with 3 exits. Exit A is located directly in front of the Aalto condominium, Exit B along Tanjong Katong Road South & Exit C at the intersection of the two roads. The station's exits feature a beige cladding, consistent with the stone influences of other stations designed by DP Architects under contract E1003 - Tanjong Rhu & Katong Park.

T305 - Katong Park Q1 2023 update

 

23 February 2023 - A view of Katong Park Exit 1 looking westwards along Meyer Road.

Katong Park is the next station on our quarter 1 update for the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). Like other stations along this sector, there is noticeable progress with cladding now visible at Exit 2 and also on the ventilation building/cooling tower. Take a look after the jump for more photos!

T303 - Tanjong Rhu Q1 2023 update

 

23 February 2023 - The 66kV substation under construction.

23 February 2023 - A close up view of the substation.

We are back for your regular dose of Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) Thursdays. Hope your week has been good just as the progress has been steady on stage 4 of the line. This time, we're over at Tanjong Rhu to check things out as of Q1 2023. Did you know that contract T303 also includes the construction of the 66kV substation? This provides power supply for the line and enables the trains to receive power so that they can move from station to station. Typically such substations are located within depot sites but occasionally, additional support is required along the line.

T308 - Marine Terrace Q1 2023 update

 

Marine Terrace station will have 6 exits - all of which are at various stages of construction. Exit A and B are located right in the centre of the station, with Exit A being located along the westbound Marine Parade Road and Exit B directly opposite, along the eastbound Marine Parade Road. Exits C and D are likewise situated across from each other at the eastern end. This brings us to Exits E and F, similarly located opposite each other but on the western end of the station.

T311 - Bedok South Q1 2023 update

 

19 February 2023 - The structure for Exit 1 along Upper East Coast Road.

Bedok South station, being constructed under contract T311, is the first station along the 5th section of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) and is scheduled to open in 2 years' time. To date, escalators have been installed in 3 of the 5 station exits, with structural works on-going at the remaining 2. For the exits located in the greenfield site, Exit 2 and Exit 3, the metal frame for the station roof is also being installed.

T309 - Siglap Q1 2023 update

 

11 February 2023 - Substantial cladding work is now visible at the station exits.

We're back along the east coast to check up on progress at the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) stations along the eastern stretches after the massive 2022 year-end update previously. Work at contract T309, for the construction of Siglap station without any tunneling work, has ramped up with some major changes at Exits B and D. Cladding is now visible at both exits with substantial parts of the structure now covered in the off-white aluminium cladding.

East Coast Line Construction Blog is now on Facebook!

 

The Sg MRT Construction (SgMC) team is expanding to Facebook!

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