The Eastern Region Line (ERL) was a line announced in 2001 during the Transport Minister's speech at the opening of the Dover station along the East-West Line. This plan saw the ERL envisioned as an oblong line around the eastern districts in Singapore, forming an orbital system there. Subsequently, by 2007 the plans were revised. The northern half of the line which would have been part of phase 1 in the original plan was amalgamated with the then Bukit Timah Line (BTL) and the Circle Line Downtown Extension (DTE) to form the new Downtown Line (DTL). DTE now forms what is DTL1 together with the added Bugis station. BTL now forms what is DTL2 with the northern part of the original ERL being DTL3.
Adjusted Plan - circa 2008
The southern part of the original orbital line is what remains as today's ERL, announced again during the 2008 Land Transport Master Plan. Details were sketchy at best but it now seems to be confirmed that this line will be the eastern extension of the Thomson Line (TSL). This means that trains will run continuously across both systems without the need for passengers to change to another train/line. At this point though, it remains unclear whether the ERL will retain its name and be operated as a single service over 2 lines (like Sydney's Western line & Northern line which share colour on maps and service flow but are named separately) or if the ERL will just be named as the Thomson Line direct.
In any case, current plans see the line having 10 stations along 13km of track with a depot at the current location of SMRT's Changi depot. This depot will be redeveloped to house the East-West Line at an elevated depot, the ERL and bus depot at ground level and the DTL depot underground. It is also understood that one of the stations will be partially built as a shell structure to be fitted out once the surrounding area has suitably developed with sufficient commercial viability to open.
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| New redeveloped Changi depot (for EWL, ERL & DTL) |
Key points of the ERL:Number of stations - 10 stations
Length of line - 13km
Through-service with Thomson Line (trains will be the same)
Interchange with Downtown Line at eastern terminus
Final Plan - announced 2014
On 15 August 2014, Friday, the transport minister announced that the line had been amalgamated with the Thomson Line in view of through-service and is now named Thomson-East Coast Line. The station locations were announced as well - Tanjong Rhu, Katong Park, Amber, Marine Parade, Marine Terrace, Siglap, Bayshore, Bedok South & Sungei Bedok.
Beyond 2024
Number of expected stations (East Coast sector) - 12
Length of line (East Coast sector) - 21km
Additional station at Marina East - announced January 2019
On 7 January 2019, the Land Transport Authority announced the addition of a new station between Gardens by the Bay on the Thomson section and Tanjong Rhu on the east coast section, named Founders' Memorial. This station is to be fitted out as part of the Gardens Bay East shell station box that was being constructed under contract T302.
Future airport extension - announced May 2019
The Draft Master Plan 2019 by the Urban Redevelopment Authority stated that an extension to the airport was being studied for the Thomson-East Coast Line. This would extend the line from the currently announced terminus at Sungei Bedok. It is expected that the line would first travel to the upcoming Terminal 5 hub where transfer to the Cross Island Line would be available. Following the Terminal 5 station, the line would cross to the current Changi Airport station, going under Terminal 2. From here, the line is likely to take over the existing Changi Airport branch from the East West Line (EWL) that runs to Tanah Merah interchange.
The Thomson-East Coast Line extension was officially announced on 25 May 2019 as part of the Land Transport Master Plan for 2040. As anticipated, the line will be extended through to the upcoming Terminal 5 development and connect to the existing Changi Airport station, thereafter taking over the existing branch line of the EWL.
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| 12 April 2019 - Model of 4-in-1 East Coast depot at the draft master plan 2019 exhibition. |
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| 12 April 2019 - Model of 4-in-1 East Coast depot at the draft master plan 2019 exhibition. Reception tracks can be seen leading to the at-grade level, which will house the Thomson-East Coast Line. |
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| 12 April 2019 - Model of 4-in-1 East Coast depot at the draft master plan 2019 exhibition. Aerial view showing the level change of the reception tracks connecting to the viaduct from Expo station. |
About the blog
This blog serves as a documentation of the process of construction the East Coast stretch of the Thomson - East Coast Line (TEL), formerly known as the Eastern Region Line (ERL). In view of this intended purpose, the blog will retain its URL as the ERL Construction blog. The main focus of the blog shall be on architectural and construction aspects.
~ Updated 23 November 2014
~ Updated 25 April 2019
~ Updated 8 June 2019
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