CCL6 year-end update 2023

 

Contract 882's Keppel station site.
Top : 27 April 2023
Bottom : 9 December 2023

Contract 883's Cantonment station site.
Top : 30 December 2022
Bottom : 9 December 2023

Contract 885's Prince Edward Road station site along Shenton Way.
Top : 4 August 2023
Bottom : 9 December 2023

Contract 886's cut & cover tunnel sites.
Top : 27 April 2023
Bottom : 9 December 2023

It has been a big year for the Circle Line 6 (CCL6) project with the station structures of the 3 new stations now substantially complete. We take a look back at the progress made over the year, comparing the sites as of Q4 to the end of 2022 or earlier in 2023. Do head on after the jump for pictures.

CC29 - HarbourFront
Come 2024, CCL operations on a section from HarbourFront to Labrador Park stations will see changes to operations. These works will serve to allow tracks on the new extension to connect to the existing tracks at HarbourFront station. Currently, the Outer Tracks (clockwise route) at the terminus merge with the Inner Tracks (counter-clockwise route) and enter into the reverse sidings, an over run section of tunnel beyond the station. These allow trains to switch tracks after leaving the terminus. Modifications to the Outer Track are required to allow trains from the future Keppel station to enter Platform B.

To do so, a new track switch (also called a turnout or point) will need to be installed. This necessitates the removal of the existing track and power supply rail, known as the third rail, along with any signaling cables. The concrete track bed may need to be hacked away and a new track bed created to support the new layout of the rails. During this period of works, a single-line operation will take place from HarbourFront to Labrador Park stations, likely using Platform A. This section will operate as a shuttle segment with train(s) running back and forth between the stations using a single track & platform.

Trains on the remaining section of line will use the cripple siding between Pasir Panjang & Labrador Park stations to change tracks, coming in to Labrador Park's Platform B before heading back to Pasir Panjang. In essence, Labrador Park station will be the temporary transfer point (complete with cross platform transfers) between the main CCL service and the CCL shuttle service to HarbourFront station.

11 December 2023 - The end wall of the CCL Outer Track at HarbourFront station.

11 December 2023 - Trains still pulling in to Platform A of the HarbourFront CCL station to unload
passengers before proceeding into the reverse siding.

CC30 - Keppel [Contract 882]
Backfilling works over the completed station roof slab have commenced this year. At the beginning of the year, the bare concrete roof could be seen exposed to the elements. However by end-Q4, a significant amount of soil had been heaped over the station and compacted. Hacking works were also carried out through the year to demolish the temporary diaphragm wall and capping beam used during construction. Surface-level elements are now beginning to become visible, such as the station's exits, ventilation shafts & skylights.

27 April 2023 - A view eastwards of the station site.

27 April 2023 - Partial backfilling works have commenced.

27 April 2023 - Concrete pouring ongoing for casting of the underground structure of Exit 2.

20 August 2023 - A view eastwards in Q3.

20 August 2023 - Exit 3 with the struts removed from the opening now visible.

18 November 2023 - A view eastwards in mid-Q4.

18 November 2023

25 November 2023 - Another view eastwards.

25 November 2023 - Backfilling and hacking works in progress.

25 November 2023 - The centre of station box.

25 November 2023 - Backfilling and hacking works progress towards the western end.

25 November 2023 - Construction of the lift shaft for Exit 2 in progress.

9 December 2023 - An aerial view of the station site in end-Q4.

9 December 2023 - A view eastwards with backfilling works substantially completed.

9 December 2023 - Hacking works near Exit 3 in progress.

9 December 2023 - The rebar is likely for a lift shaft at the exit.

9 December 2023 - A view westwards of the ongoing concrete pouring operation.

9 December 2023

9 December 2023 - A view of the station site with construction works in full swing.

CC31 - Cantonment [Contract 883]
Similarly to Keppel station, backfilling works were carried out at Cantonment over the station's completed roof slab. As work progressed, the reinstatement of the original Tanjong Pagar Railway Station's platform canopy began as well. The canopy of the original railway station got progressively longer as more and more sections were moved back from the temporary storage site at the location of the former Malayan Railway depot facilities.

The structures for the various station exits began to take shape as well. Exit 1, located along Keppel Road next to the existing industrial buildings, features an elevator & stairs-only design. The shaft first became visible followed by other components such as the stairs leading up to the station exit.

30 December 2022 - A view of the main station box site.

30 December 2022 - An aerial view of the cooling towers.

30 December 2022 - A view of Exit 2.

30 December 2022 - Works at Exit 2.

30 December 2022 - An aerial view of Exit 4.

27 April 2023 - An aerial view of the station in Q2.

27 April 2023

27 April 2023

27 April 2023 - Exit 2 in Q2.

27 April 2023

20 August 2023 - The station site in Q3. Reinstatement of the original Tanjong Pagar Railway
station platform canopies had begun.

20 August 2023 - Progress at Exit 2 as of mid-Q3.

20 August 2023

20 August 2023

20 August 2023 - A view of the original platform canopies being reinstated.

20 August 2023

20 August 2023 - A view of the Exit 1 worksite in Q3.

20 August 2023 - Circular shaft of Exit 1 visible.

16 September 2023 - A view of the platform level of the station.
Source: LTA

16 September 2023 - A view of works in one of the connecting subways to the exits.
Source: LTA

16 September 2023 - Concrete pouring work underway for casting of the staircase and landings
at Exit 1 along Keppel Road.
Source: LTA

16 September 2023 - A shaft under construction at Exit 2.
Source: LTA

16 September 2023 - Work taking place within the station cooling tower.
Source: LTA

16 September 2023 - Piling works underway.
Source: LTA

9 December 2023 - An aerial view showing the progress at the station site, the reinstatement
of the original platform canopies & the station cooling tower.

9 December 2023

9 December 2023 - Exit 2 structures emerging at ground level.

9 December 2023

9 December 2023 - The slope where the escalators and staircase will sit is visible.

9 December 2023 - This slope will form part of the roof slab.

9 December 2023 - An aerial view of Exit 4 as of Q4.

9 December 2023 - A view of Exit 1 as of Q4.

CC32 - Prince Edward Road [Contract 885]
The structures at Prince Edward Road station have come a long way. Where gantry cranes once stood over the station site, now lies a site laid bare as the major work on the underground structure has been substantially completed. Structural work now turns towards the surface structures of the ancillary buildings, cooling towers and station exits. Architectural work will begin with the installation of cladding and other interior features within the station.

27 April 2023 - A view of the site from along Shenton Way.

27 April 2023 - A view of Exit 1, located next to 78 Shenton Way.

27 April 2023 - A view of the main station box site.

27 April 2023 - A view of the main station box site from the expressway viaduct.

4 August 2023 - An aerial view of the station box site in Q3.

4 August 2023 - Gantry cranes still visible on site in Q3.

4 August 2023 - Construction decking still on site in Q3.

 

14 October 2023 - An aerial view of the station box site in early-Q4.

14 October 2023 - A close up view of the western end of the station in early-Q4.

14 October 2023 - Near the eastern end of the station in early-Q4.

9 December 2023 - An aerial view of the main station box site, with the temporary trackworks
staging area in view, as of end-Q4.

9 December 2023 - The main station box site as of end-Q4.

9 December 2023 - Concrete pouring works in progress for one of the surface structures on site.

9 December 2023 - A view of the western end of the station. Construction decking is still present
on site at end-Q4.

9 December 2023 - Another view of the ancillary building at street level.

9 December 2023 - Concrete pouring ongoing at the eastern end of the station in end-Q4.

9 December 2023 - A view of Exit 1 from street level at end-Q4.

9 December 2023 - Concrete structures for Exit 1 beginning to take shape.

9 December 2023 - Another view of Exit 1.

9 December 2023 - Concrete pouring for the ancillary building as seen from the junction of
Shenton Way & Keppel Road.

9 December 2023 - One of the mid-line escape shafts. There are 2 along the 4km extension.

Cut & Cover tunnels [Contract 886]
The last contract as part of this section of the line (there still is one more contract under the extension for the depot expansion) is for the cut & cover tunnels linking to Marina Bay station. The section that will be used for turning trains around has been taken over by the trackworks contractor. This site has been used as a temporary staging area (TSA) since mid-year to facilitate the lifting and lowering of track sections for installation in the tunnels. Work would have needed to progress as far as Keppel and HarbourFront by early next year in order for works to connect the tracks at HarbourFront between January and May 2024 to take place.

27 April 2023 - A view of the contract boundary area with contract 885 for the construction of
Prince Edward Road station.

27 April 2023 - A view of the turnback tunnels towards Marina One & Asia Square. The site
would later become the site for trackworks.

27 April 2023

27 April 2023 - Struts still visible within the excavation trench.

27 April 2023 - The roof slab of the tunnels visible towards Marina Bay station. Several
struts have been removed from this section.

5 June 2023 - A view of the turnback tunnel site being prepared as a temporary staging area.

5 June 2023 - Material for trackworks delivered to site.

5 June 2023 - Rails visible near the construction openings ahead of gantry crane installation.

5 June 2023 - A view of the site from Marina One.

5 June 2023 - A diamond crossover being prepared ahead of installation.

4 August 2023 - An aerial view of the tunnels connecting to Marina Bay station.

4 August 2023 - Backfilling works in progress. Exit 5 of Marina Bay station can be seen to the
left.

4 August 2023 - The tunnel roof slab still visible.

4 August 2023 - Struts still visible in the section next to the expressway viaduct.

4 August 2023 - Ongoing works next to the expressway, with the removal of struts visible.

4 August 2023 - Backfilling works in progress near to Prince Edward Road station.

4 August 2023 - A view of the trackworks temporary staging area. The gantry crane has been
since assembled.

4 August 2023 - Tracks and sleepers awaiting lowering into the construction openings.

4 August 2023

14 October 2023 - An overview of the site.

14 October 2023 - The trackworks temporary staging area.

14 October 2023 - Backfilling and hacking works at the emergency stairs location for the turnback
tunnel.

14 October 2023 - Backfilling works well underway.

14 October 2023 - Backfilling, hacking and strut removal works in progress.

14 October 2023 - Concrete stubs visible above the tunnel. These may support a future slip road
above.

9 December 2023 - An overview of the site near to Marina Bay.

9 December 2023 - The section near the expressway has been backfilled.

9 December 2023 - Backfilling works towards Prince Edward Road station have largely been
completed as well.

9 December 2023 - The progress at the emergency exit stairs for the turnback tunnel.

9 December 2023 - A view looking southwards of the backfilling works.

9 December 2023 - Reinstatement works in progress with the construction of facilities such as
drains and utilities underway.

9 December 2023

9 December 2023 - An aerial view southwards with the trackworks site visible.

9 December 2023 - The emergency exit stairs in view.

9 December 2023 - Precast staircase segments are being used.

New Circle Line trains [Contract 851E]
A total of 23 new trains are being procured for the Circle Line extension and to improve frequencies along the line. The first two trains had been delivered earlier this year to the new Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC) in Tuas and were undergoing commissioning tests. The citrus-themed trains sport several new interior colours of lime and orange in addition to having an external livery featuring the line's colour. Apart from these features, the trains themselves are similar to the existing second generation stock procured under Contract 830C and put into operation around 2015.

2 November 2023 - Set 65 at the boarding platform of the SRTC.

2 November 2023 - The livery of the train uses the line colour as a coloured band along the sides.

2 November 2023

2 November 2023 - An LED dynamic map will be installed here.

2 November 2023 - A view of the lime colour car.

2 November 2023 - The middle car with a yellow interior.

2 November 2023 - One of the end cabs that features an orange interior.

2023 has proved to be a full year of milestones attained for the Circle Line 6 project. With the stations well on their way to subterranean structural completion and train deliveries commencing followed by testing, the section's opening in 2026 is now closer to reality. With works next year to upgrade the existing operational main line for integration with the extension, more steps to closing the loop will be made ahead of the operationalisation of the section. We hope that you have enjoyed our coverage over the past year and we look forward to bring you more updates in 2024. Wishing all our readers & followers a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

This post will also be available on Instagram & Facebook on 23 December 2023.