C886 - C&C Tunnels & Trackworks update October 2023

 

14 October 2023 - An overview of the contract 886 site.

Besides getting a great view of Prince Edward Road station, the team also enjoyed great views of the cut & cover tunnels linking Prince Edward Road and Marina Bay stations. This also includes a section of tunnels splitting off the main line known as the turnback tunnels. It is here that the trackworks contractor is given a site to work from, known as the Temporary Staging Area (TSA).

Tunnels
The structural works of the tunnels are largely completed with demolition of the capping beam continuing. This allows a smooth layer of soil to be added on top of the completed structure without future land users running into a concrete structure after digging a mere few meters down. Following the completion of backfilling works, it is likely that the slip road from the Marina Coastal Expressway can be shifted into its permanent alignment.

14 October 2023 - Near the contract boundary with contract 885 - denoted by the line of
hoarding near the excavator to the right of the image.

14 October 2023 - A small portion of the excavation pit remains, where struts can still be seen
supporting utility lines.

14 October 2023 - Demolition of the capping beam is ongoing.

14 October 2023 - Closer to Marina Bay station, backfilling works are in progress.

14 October 2023 - Some stub piles can be seen atop the tunnels at this location.

Temporary Staging Area (TSA)
Work on track installation is well underway with operations originating at the TSA. The stack of rails observed previously has gone down as they have likely been used and installed within the tunnels of the extension. Also near to the TSA, the contractor for the tunnels has moved onto the demolition of the capping beam at the northern-most end where the tunnels end and an escape shaft is located adjacent.

14 October 2023 - An overview of the Temporary Staging Area for trackworks.

14 October 2023 - Demolition of the capping beam is being performed at the end of the
turnback tunnel. An escape shaft will be located here as well, which is the protruding section
at the top left hand corner.

14 October 2023 - Rails, sleepers, cable troughs and other materials can be seen on site. The rebar
is laid atop the first stage concrete in the tunnels and then sleepers with rails and overlaid on
the rebar. Finally, concrete is pumped in to set the sleepers in place.

14 October 2023 - A view of one of the tunnel openings.

14 October 2023 - A view of the second tunnel opening.

14 October 2023 - A section of a turnout switch.

Track works are well underway and will likely be completed in approximately a year's time. Installation of the tracks are a crucial stage as these will allow the power and communications teams to begin the installation of cabling required to run the extension by mounting the cable drums on flat wagons which will use the rails installed to travel through the tunnels. Do stay tuned for more updates on the Circle Line Stage 6 as we bring them to you progressively.

This post will also be available on Instagram & Facebook on 2 November 2023.