On December 2, after 96 consecutive hours of intensive work, The First Engineering Bureau of CREC, successfully completed the second phase of track blockade works for the upgrading project of Singapore’s MRT East–West Line, marking the largest rail line upgrading construction undertaken in Singapore since its independence in 1965.
The works involved connecting the East–West Line tracks to the newly built integrated depot and opening the newly added eastbound platform at Tanah Merah Station. Upon completion, East–West Line trains will be able to depart from and return to the East Coast Integrated Depot. As the world’s first four-in-one integrated depot, all newly constructed track works of the East Coast Integrated Depot were undertaken by the Singapore MRT T250A Project Department of The First Engineering Bureau of CREC. This blockade construction connected the depot with the new lines, serving the East–West Line, the Thomson–East Coast Line, and the Downtown Line.
During construction, the project team worked under conditions of high temperatures, extreme heat, and heavy rainfall, deploying five heavy-duty cranes with capacities exceeding 300 tonnes, six road–rail dual-purpose multi-functional vehicles, nine excavators, and three tamping machines. More than 700 personnel were mobilized to work in close coordination, successfully completing 12 blockade tasks, including the installation of one single crossover, four connections between new and existing lines, removal of five sets of turnouts with restoration of line connectivity, and installation of one buffer stop.
This upgrading project is an important component of Singapore’s Land Transport Master Plan 2040. Upon completion and opening to traffic, it will enhance connectivity between the East–West Line and existing lines, significantly improve overall transport efficiency and operational reliability, meet growing passenger demand, and play a vital role in optimizing the urban public transportation system.
