T316 - The first of TELe contracts

 

April 2022 - A view from within the launch shaft.
Source: LinkedIn

The Thomson-East Coast Line extension (TELe) was first unveiled in 2019 during the Land Transport Masterplan for 2040. This extension involves continuing on the TEL from its upcoming eastern terminus at Sungei Bedok, running through Changi Airport's Terminal 5 before joining up with taking over the existing Changi Airport Line that runs to Tanah Merah. Not everyone would know though, that the first civil contract for the extension has already been awarded and construction going on for some time. That contract is none other than contract T316 for the construction of twin bored tunnels. Here's a extract of the contract's scope from Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co (STEC)'s website:

Contract T316 covers the construction and completion of twin bored tunnels from Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5) development towards Changi Airport (CGA) Station Terminal 2 (T2) North Finger Pier. It also includes construction and completion of associated cross passages, launch shaft, underground infrastructure, tunnels low point sumps and the associated ancillary works.

Since being awarded, work has commenced on the launch shaft for tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that will be used to construct the tunnels. In March 2022, the TBMs were lowered into the shaft and in April 2022 the pair of TBMs began boring forward.

January 2022 - Concrete pumping for casting works at the launch shaft.
Source: LinkedIn

January 2022 - A view of the launch shaft during the day.
Source: LinkedIn

February 2022 - Work ongoing within the launch shaft at the tunnel eyes where the TBMs will be
launched for tunnel construction.
Source: LinkedIn

February 2022 - A view of the king posts within the launch shaft.
Source: LinkedIn

March 2023 - A TBM shield being lowered into the launch shaft.
Source: LinkedIn

March 2023 - Another TBM shield being lowered into the shaft,
Source: LinkedIn

April 2022 - A view of the pair of TBMs within the launch shaft.
Source: LinkedIn

Undated image - A view of works at the location of the launch shaft.
Source: STEC

Undated image - A view of gantry cranes at the launch shaft.
Source: STEC

Undated image - A view of the TBMs to be used for tunnel construction.
Source: STEC

April 2022 - One of the TBMs with tunnel rings for the initial drive visible.
Source: STEC

Undated image - A view from within the constructed tunnel.
Source: STEC

Undated image - A view from within the launch shaft. The TBM on the left has commenced its
initial drive while the TBM on the second drive has not.
Source: STEC

Undated image - Workers hard at work near walers and struts within the work site.
Source: STEC

Undated image - Ongoing work within the launch shaft. At least 4 ring beams can be seen.
Source: STEC

Undated image - A view from within the constructed tunnel. TEL trains will one day pass through
here in the future.
Source: STEC

Undated image - A view of the TBM and initial drive seen from the top of the shaft.
Source: STEC

Undated image - Gantry cranes with tunnel ring segments on site.
Source: STEC

The current status of the tunnels is not known, although it has been over 2 years since the TBMs were launched from the shaft. Hopefully, more information turns up to give an indication on the progress of the contract.

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