T303 - Tanjong Rhu update February 2024

 

11 February 2024 - A view of the installed station signage on display.

As previously mentioned, we're starting our Q1 coverage of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) phase 4's stations a little earlier than normal so that we can cover the stations ahead of their opening by the first half of 2024. Tanjong Rhu station has seen the station site tidied up and is about ready for opening day with station signage installed.

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.

T311 - Internal cladding works at Bedok South

 

Interior ceiling fins installed.
Source: LinkedIn

Recently one of our followers gave us a heads up on images of cladding being installed at one of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) stations and asked us if we knew which station this was at. Based on comparisons between the design being built & renders of the stations, a match was found for Bedok South. While the station's fellow east coast stretch sisters are approaching completion and revenue operation this year, the stations under phase 5 of the line still have some way to go.

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!

T312 - Sungei Bedok update Q3 2023

 

23 September 2023 - A view of the exit in front of Bedok camp with the metal roof frame in place.

The last contract for the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) is T312 for the construction of Sungei Bedok station and cut & cover tunnels. Over the last quarter, the station's exits have begun to take shape with the roofs being installed. Typically, the exits would be the last parts of the station to be completed after all materials have been delivered through the openings into the station's interior. With work on the exits at the station proceeding, the station is entering into the final stages of completion. Once the escalators are installed, unless the station has special openings, it is relatively difficult for big & bulky materials such as ventilation ducts, escalators or pallets to be brought in.