29 September 2025 - A view of the new eastbound platform. Noise barrier installation works had recommenced along the track.
With the official announcement of the Thomson-East Coast Line extension (TELe), we'll now begin coverage of Tanah Merah station on the East Coast Line Construction Blog as well. Works have been underway at Tanah Merah station since 2016 for the reconfiguration of the station to:
Increase headway/frequency along the Changi Airport Line (CAL); and
Connect the East-West Line (EWL) & CAL to the new integrated depot.
To do so, an additional island platform is being added to the station complex so that the existing eastbound EWL track can be diverted to this new platform. The existing track and platform will then be freed up to allow double tracking along the CAL, reducing the bottleneck that restricted frequencies on branch line. Eventually, this would also facilitate the conversion from the line being a branch of the EWL into part of the TEL main line.
Initially due for completion in 2024, pandemic-related delays have seen the completion date of the project pushed to 2026 instead. In December 2025, a service shut down was implemented to allow for one of the reception tracks connecting to the depot to be connected to the eastbound main line tracks. We check in with subsequent progress made on the tracks and station expansion works after the jump.
Works at track level - new eastbound track
29 September 2025 - Ballast has been laid up to the connection point with the existing main line.
29 September 2025 - Rails and sleepers had been further extended out towards the main line interface. A temporary buffer stop has been added at the end of the tracks.
29 September 2025 - Installation work for the full height noise barriers had recommenced.
29 September 2025
29 September 2025 - A view of the interface point where the new track & viaduct merge back with the existing eastbound main line of the EWL. Ballast has been laid out on the new trackbed.
29 September 2025
29 September 2025 - Temporary gates have been installed to prevent unauthorised access from the new track onto the active main line tracks.
At the new eastbound track, work has been slowly continuing ahead of a likely service shutdown over a weekend at the end of the year. These works include extending the rails to the interface area where the tracks will leave or rejoin the existing main line tracks and also the completion of noise barrier installation. As the new station platform and track are located much closer to the existing residential developments, full height noise barriers have been opted for along this stretch of the track. Installation had initially commenced some time back along the western end of the new track but there had been a hiatus where installation works stopped. They have recently resumed once again.
Temporary gates to restrict movement onto the active and operational main line have been installed at either end of the new track to prevent unintentional intrusions. Ballast for the trackbed on either end of the new viaduct has been laid to allow new tracks to be installed at the interface points, connecting the running lines together.
Work at track level - new westbound track
29 September 2025 - The interface zone between the new and existing westbound main line.
29 September 2025 - Ballast is absent from the new viaduct, although noise barriers have been installed.
29 September 2025
29 September 2025 - A pile of ballast on part of the new viaduct.
29 September 2025 - Temporary gate installed to segregate operational from non-operational areas.
Similar works are required to connect the new westbound track that would allow for the full segregation of the EWL and CAL, however these have not progressed as quickly as those on the eastbound track. The trackbed along the interface point at the new westbound viaduct sits empty of ballast for the time being, although half height noise barriers have since been installed.
New station facilities - platform & exit
29 September 2025 - A view of the station's new platform seen from street level looking eastwards.
29 September 2025 - The new platform's columns have been coloured red. Station name signs are still not installed yet. The posts for noise barriers can be seen.
29 September 2025
25 July 2025 - A view into the new platform area, from the western end of the platform as a train pulls into the station.
29 September 2025 - A view of the expanded concourse area for access to the new platform.
29 September 2025
29 September 2025 - One of the new exits being built for access to the eastern concourse.
29 September 2025 - Another view of the new exit to the station.
Works at the station's new platform have taken place, with an opening towards the western end allowing passengers a short glimpse into the platform itself as they arrive on inbound trains on the eastbound track. From this small hole in the wall, one can see that the platform appears mostly completed save for certain facilities - such as signboards bearing the station's name & direction of travel and noise barrier panels. The latter is being progressively added in, with the posts erected along the viaduct's parapet walls.
At the concourse level, hoardings that formerly blocked the view of the station expansion have been reduced in height, allowing short glimpses into the new concourse areas. Work is underway to allow for the matching of features between the two sections of station, to blend the new annex in more seamlessly. Elsewhere, work at the new exit continues on. There appears to still be quite some way for civil works to go before the exit can be opened.
Upgrades to existing station facilities
29 September 2025 - The edges of steps on the staircase connecting the platform to the concourse has had anti-slip tiles installed. Additional railings were also installed.
29 September 2025 - Ceiling panels were being changed out to give the existing station areas a more modern look that blended with the new station annex.
29 September 2025 - Ceiling transformation works in progress.
29 September 2025 - The ceiling around access to the westbound platform was also updated.
1 February 2025 - A view of the existing station concourse's ceiling earlier in the year.
29 September 2025 - Ceiling panels in the concourse area.
29 September 2025 - Transformation is still underway, with sections where the new panels were to be installed still remaining visible.
29 September 2025 - A view of the underpass connecting to existing Exits A and B also received similar treatment.
29 September 2025
1 February 2025 - A view of the underpass earlier in the year.
29 September 2025 - The ceiling at Exit A being renewed.
29 September 2025
29 September 2025 - A new bus stop shelter being constructed in front of Exit A.
29 September 2025
As earlier mentioned, the station project's work included unifying the overall look and feel of the existing station to match the new annex. Ceiling panels were being changed out and a consistent design was applied within the existing station areas as well. Accessibility upgrades were also underway, such as the addition of anti-slip tiles to steps along the staircases and a second set of railings below the existing ones at staircases.
With all the work happening, the platform looks like it will be commissioned for use by the end of the year or some time early in 2026 at the latest. Some work is still yet required before the new exits can be opened for public use, including connecting the eastern concourse to the westbound platform, where demolition of the existing plant rooms is required.
This post will also be available on Instagram & Facebook on 4 October 2025.
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