LTA calls for tender bids to prepare for modifications to Thomson-East Coast Line
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has put forward a tender to carry out works at three East-West Line (EWL) stations: Tanah Merah, Expo, and Changi Airport.
The stations are set to be included in the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) as part of LTA’s plan to build a direct MRT route from Changi Airport to the city by 2040.
Source: Construction Plus Asia
Works on the three stations will commence in 2025.
Works to connect EWL & TEL
According to The Straits Times (ST), the LTA called for tender bids on Monday (29 April) to choose a contractor to perform the addition and alteration works on the three MRT stations in the East.
Tanah Merah, Expo, and Changi Airport stations will undergo alterations to align with the TEL.
These modifications will extend the TEL beyond its current eastern terminus at Sungei Bedok and intersect with the forthcoming Terminal 5 at Changi Airport.
That being said, the ongoing tender is only to make preparations for the modifications. The modifications to connect Changi Airport directly to the city centre and extend the TEL are not under this tender.
Presently, the EWL and TEL run parallel to each other, with only one connecting station at Outram Park.
Source: Land Transport Authority
Modifications will create direct line from Changi Airport to city centre
The alterations to the three stations are integral to LTA’s long-term vision of establishing a direct MRT connection from Changi Airport to Singapore’s city centre by 2040.
At present, those taking the MRT from the city to the airport have to change trains at Tanah Merah station as Expo and Changi Airport stations are on different parts of the EWL and operate like separate shuttle services.
Source: SGTrains
With these modifications, passengers will experience smoother transfers between both MRT lines.
LTA told ST that more details will be revealed after the contract is awarded in early 2025.
The tender for the construction will close on 26 August this year.
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7 TEL4 MRT Stations To Open In 1st Half Of 2024, Easties Can Enjoy Faster Commutes Soon
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Featured image adapted from Wikipedia.
