A review of the TEL4

 

21 June 2024 - A view of our small exhibit at the Friends of Land Transport booth at Marine
Parade station during the TEL4 Preview event.

The Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s fourth phase was off to a roaring start this Friday with 9 hours of free rides during the preview event. Visitors to the event got to experience riding the trains on the line for free, while exploring the 7 stations stretching from Tanjong Rhu to Bayshore. Trains operated on an isolated loop along the stretch with trains terminating at Platform A at both termini. A separate shuttle train linked the TEL4's Tanjong Rhu station with TEL3's Garden by the Bay at both station's Platform B. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) really did go all out to make the event possible and accessible for everyone.

TEL4 - A walk down memory lane

9 May 2024

9 May 2024

27 May 2024

27 May 2024

27 May 2024

27 May 2024

27 May 2024

With the Thomson - East Coast Line (TEL)'s fourth phase about to open at the turn of the week, we thought it'd be a great time to take a walk down memory lane and look back at how far along the line has come. Join us as we take a stroll along the East Coast through time.

TEL - A snapshot in May 2024

An overview of TEL4 & 5 stations as of May 2024.
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.

3 weeks from today, the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s phase 4 stations will open their doors to the public as part of the TEL4 preview. Two days later, trains will roll through the stations on actual revenue service. Ahead of the line's opening come June, we take a look back at how the stations are sprucing up ahead of the open house preview and subsequent revenue operations. Oh, and don't forget that you can participate in our TEL4 Render Vs Reality contest beginning on 21 June 2024 during the TEL4 Preview too.

TEL4 - Render Vs Reality contest

 

We're just under a month away from the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s phase 4 preview which will be taking place at the 7 stations on 21 June 2024. In conjunction with this momentous event of the preview and subsequent opening of the line on 23 June, we're holding a contest where users re-create the renders by submitting photographs of re-creations of the renders.

TEL 4 & 5 - A snapshot in March 2024

A compilation of images of TE23 to TE31 stations in March 2024.
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

It's exactly 3 months to go till the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s phase 4 section opens. This section of the line will bring rail service to an area that has long been in need of a rail connection but had to rely on bus services only, despite the relatively short distance to the Central Business District and Marina Bay areas. Nonetheless, the section of the line is about to open and we check in on the progress of the stations in the lead up to their official opening for revenue service - including the 2 stations along phase 5 whose opening has been pushed back a year to 2026 instead.

T306 - Tanjong Katong update Q1 2024

 

10 February 2024 - A view of Exit 3 during the day, with station signage installed.

10 March 2024 - A view of Exit 3 in the evening, signage partly lit.

Minister Chee Hong Tat announced during the Ministry of Transport's 2024 Committee of Supply debates in parliament that phase 4 of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) will open to the public on 23 June 2024. With most of the stations ready for opening day, we take a closer look at Tanjong Katong station, one of the tightest places to squeeze a station in. Located underneath Amber Road, the station sits at the foot of the Tanjong Katong South flyover, which leads Tanjong Katong Road South into the East Coast Parkway.

Consisting of 3 exits, the station is poised to serve commuters in the vicinity and those arriving from further north along Tanjong Katong Road South. Like neighbouring station Katong Park, a hallmark of Tanjong Katong station is its stacked platform configuration and numerous skylights. Two of these will open up directly to the station's concourse, while the remainder allow natural light to filter into the station's exits.

TEL 4 & 5 - A snapshot in February 2024

 

An overview of TEL4 & 5 stations TE23 to TE31 in early-February 2024.
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

Last month was pretty busy with getting the year started. As such, we weren't able to do up a Snapshot for January 2024 and that's why we're doing the February one slightly earlier. Without further ado, here's the first consolidated update of the line section since our 2023-year end update!

TEL4 handover to SMRT

 

A photo taken with LTA & SMRT senior management at Katong Park station today. Also in view
is the updated platform screen door signage with TEL4 & 5 stations.
Source: LTA

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) handed over the 7 new stations along the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s phase 4 to operator Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) earlier today. This is a significant step to rail transit reaching the east coast & Marine Parade, which have long had to live with road-based transport options. The arrival of the MRT line to these neighbourhoods this year may also usher in a period of revitalisation of the town centre and surrounding residential areas.

Phase 4 of the TEL will see service extended from the current southern terminus at Gardens By the Bay to 7 new stations in the east. The new terminus of the line will be Bayshore station for approximately a year, until the line is further extended to Phase 5's Sungei Bedok station. We provide you a run down of the 7 new stations and some analysis of the timeline where the line may open, based on historical records for the line's first few phases' openings.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

T306 - 2022 Year end update

 

25 November 2022 - A view of Exit B, with the metal frame for the roofing taking shape.

21 November 2022 - A view of Exits A & C along Meyer Road.

Continuing our trek eastwards, our next stop is Tanjong Katong station. Due to site constraints, it is another side stacked station to fit within a very tight site. Some homes were also acquired previously to facilitate the construction of the station directly beneath the homes. Work is taking shape with metal supports reminiscent of the V, featured prominently along the Circle Line stages 4 and 5, clearly visible at the station's exits along Tanjong Katong Road South & Meyer Road.

T306 - Tanjong Katong station update

 

A view of the exit located along Tanjong Katong Road South.

On National Day, we conducted a virtual tour on the SG MRT Construction (SgMC) Instagram channel. During the tour, we covered several stations along the Thomson-East Coast Line and we'll be featuring some additional shots that we may not have showcased on the Instagram channel during the tour.

TEL East-Coast section newsletter

 

Newsletter for Thomson-East Coast Line. This covers this sector
from Founders' Memorial up to Siglap.
Source: LTA

Over National Day, we held a virtual tour where we visited several station sites along the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) stages 4 and 5. Along the way, we saw some newsletters being displayed at nearby residential enclaves that updated on some of the construction progress. Do check out the images of the newsletter that we managed to obtain.

Construction Progress

In May, we did a short drive around to get some videos of the construction progress along the East Coast Line. Do check out the video we have created below.

Stay tuned for more updates in the coming months as construction ramps up at the various station sites.