End-December update

Soil Investigations (SIs) seem to have intensified along the probable Eastern Region Line (ERL) alignment recently. Boreholes and rigs have been spotted at multiple locations along the corridor and may help to determine where the line runs and locations of the stations. In previous updates, we found that boreholes are noticed at Marine Parade, Marine Terrace, Siglap, Bayshore, Upper East Coast near Temasek Secondary School and at Bedok Corner. Today, we cover these areas again and provide a little more information.

Updates on Marine Parade & Siglap

Some updates on the soil investigations at Siglap and Marine Parade.

15 December 2013 - Marine Parade: Standard Chartered bank

SIs in Tanjong Rhu

As mentioned in the previous post, there has been a pick up in intensity of Soil Investigations in Tanjong Rhu lately. With a second trip down, the locations of the SI are more accurately plotted on the map below.

Map showing the spread of SI rigs in Tanjong Rhu. Blue triangles represent approximate locations of the SI rigs as at
13 December 2013.

Where are the stations?

I suppose one of the more interesting aspects of the line at this stage is determining where the stations are. We know the start point and the end point, so now its getting the 10 points in between nailed down. As mentioned before, this corridor is kind of hard to build along with there being a lack of really long and straight roads through the majority of the areas (Marine Parade Rd is long and straight, yes, but only for the Marine Parade section - still need to get to Marine Parade). So anyway, a few trips through the year reveals some results - in the form of Soil Investigations (SI). These are tests done to obtain samples of the soil for analysis to see whether the soil types are hard or soft so that they can determine what type of  Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) to use during construction among other things. So, a few notable locations..

Gardens by the Bay East

28 October 2013

28 October 2013

28 October 2013

This has been the hot area for SI rigs. In October, a total of 7 rigs and 13 other marked off sites dot the length of the park close to the golf course at Marina East. These correspond to the ventilation shaft area where the Thomson Line (TSL) leaves off for connection to the Eastern Region Line (ERL) in future.

Marine Parade Central

28 October 2013

28 October 2013

28 October 2013

Several SI rigs have been noted in the vicinity and some of the markings from previous rounds can be seen.

Marine Terrace

An abundance of markings from round 1 of the investigations have been noted here. Sitting about 1km away from Marine Parade Central, it seems to be optimal spacing away to place another station for Marine Parade here.

March 2013: The spread of Soil Investigations at Marine Terrace

Bayshore

Another hot spot for SI rigs along the road leading to the East Coast Parkway. Potential to spur development in the area.

21 March 2013: Along Bayshore Rd

21 March 2013: Details of the soil samples and depth

Temasek Secondary

The area around the school is mostly forested vegetation. A station here would enable development of the area and allow Bedok South to grow.

1 April 2013

Bedok Corner

Supposed to be the last stop before the combined depot with the East-West Line and Downtown Line. Several markings noticed near the food centre.

1 April 2013: Spread of SI markings at Bedok Corner