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.

TEL4 - Retail units for lease

 

Floor plan for Tanjong Rhu station concourse level.
Source: Stellar Lifestyle

Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s operator SMRT has recently added 4 stations along TEL4 to their list of retail units available for lease. The units available are located at Tanjong Rhu, Marine Parade, Siglap & Bayshore stations. We understand that retail units may also be available at Tanjong Katong and Marine Terrace stations although these are not currently listed on the SMRT retail arm's website.

With the listing of the retail units, the various floor plans of the stations have also become available for viewing. The available date provided on the website indicates "Stage 4" currently (which is not a date, but okay), and may roughly indicate that the units will be available in conjunction with the section's opening after 23 June 2024.

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.

T309 - Siglap update Q1 2024

 

17 March 2024 - A view of the Siglap station site.

Siglap station is pretty much complete with only some landscaping remaining to be done. Oh, and perhaps a few signs to install. But other than that, the station is completed. Designed by architectural firm SAA Architects, this is the second of the stations designed by the firm that feature exits using a concrete shell encased in cladding. It also happens to be the last of the stations designed by them along this stretch to use this method. With works completed, all that is left to do is to tidy up the site and await for opening day.

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.

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!

T309 - Siglap update Q3 2023

 

23 September 2023 - A view of the finishings at Exit C of Siglap station.

Over the past quarter, the finishing touches have been added to Siglap station on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s phase 4 section. Early in the quarter, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) & Minister of Transport then, S Iswaran, released a few images of the TEL4 stations. Two of these images showed the interior of Siglap station which features a grey and blue colour scheme. There are also accents of sky blue which likely reflects the area's heritage as a seaside estate.

Interior of Siglap station.
Source: S Iswaran

Interior of Siglap station.
Source: LTA

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.

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.

T309 - Siglap update Q2 2023

 

8 June 2023 - Exit B of Siglap station, illuminated for night works.

As we press on further east, our updates bring us to contract T309 for the construction of Siglap station. Brought to you by a joint venture between John Holland & Zhen Hua (Singapore) Engineering Pte Ltd. Previously, John Holland had completed Springleaf station and the Tagore box under contract T208 for the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) phase 2. Work at Siglap station is progressing well, with some illumination from the station permanent lighting noted. Covered linkways are beginning to go up as well and the road infrastructure & pedestrian paths are slowly being reinstated. We'll delve into these a bit more in our post.

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.

T309 - Siglap Q1 2023 update

 

11 February 2023 - Substantial cladding work is now visible at the station exits.

We're back along the east coast to check up on progress at the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) stations along the eastern stretches after the massive 2022 year-end update previously. Work at contract T309, for the construction of Siglap station without any tunneling work, has ramped up with some major changes at Exits B and D. Cladding is now visible at both exits with substantial parts of the structure now covered in the off-white aluminium cladding.

T309 - 2022 Year end update

 

21 November 2022 - A view westwards along Marine Parade Road.

Contract T309 involved the construction of Siglap station underneath the eastern end of Marine Parade Road and did not include the construction of any tunnel segment. Due to site constraints, there was no space to locate launch or retrieval shafts for tunnel boring machines here hence excavation for the station was restricted to the station box structure only. Furthermore, as the top-down method of construction was used, once the roof slab was constructed there was little further disturbance to the area. As a result, the road here has more or less been realigned into its final configuration - far ahead of most other stations along the sector.

T309 - Siglap reinstated

9 August 2022 - A reinstated portion of Marine Parade Road above Siglap station.

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 of Siglap station 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.