C882 - Keppel update February 2024

 

11 February 2024 - A view eastwards along Keppel Road.

11 February 2024 - More permanent structures can now be seen at the surface level.

It has been a month now since work to "Close the Circle" by connecting tunnels and tracks from Keppel to HarbourFront stations has begun. While temporary changes to the service patterns of the main line were implemented, work continues to make progress over at Contract 882's Keppel station site. We take a look at how the site has changed since we last checked in at the end of 2023.

June 2023 - A view of the station's platform level, when Basic Structure Completion was attained.
Source: LinkedIn

June 2023 - A view of the station's interior in mid-2023.
Source: LinkedIn

Before we dive into the 2024 update, we recently came across a few interior photos of the station taken around the middle of 2023, when the station obtained its basic structure completion. This meant that station box was more or less complete with concrete casting and waterproofing works. With the structure completed, the station was ready to progress on to the next stage in construction which would be the fit-out stage. The photos of the station platform and another, likely of the concourse level, offer a rarely seen glimpse into the station during its construction phase.

11 February 2024 - A view of Exit 3 of the station which now has the structural wall around the
entrance's perimeter partially cast.

11 February 2024 - Stairs to Exit 3 can be seen along with the surrounding concreted entry.

11 February 2024 - Ventilation shafts and skylights are visible as well.

11 February 2024 - Staircase to access Exit 3.

Since the end of last year, the eastern end of the station has been completely backfilled and there is no discernable trace of the former diaphragm wall capping beam that was in the midst of being demolished. The concrete blocks previously seen at the eastern end of the station are no longer visible on site as well.

Exit 3 of the station, the eastern-most entrance, has come along with most of the perimeter wall cast. Raised steps, a flood prevention measure, leading to the escalator and stair entry to the station are now visible as well. With the structure of the exits being built up, it is likely that the station's interior escalators would have been lowered in and installed since.

11 February 2024 - A view towards the western end of the station.

11 February 2024 - Rebar installation underway for structures at Exit 1 and the dedicated lift
access to the underground bicycle parking facility.

Image from the internet showing the interior layout of Keppel station.

Over at the western end of the station lies Exit 1. This structure may take slightly longer to construct as the underground bicycle parking facility will be located at this end of the station. Direct access to the facility will require 2 additional dedicated lifts, based on the design of the stations along the East Coast sector of the Thomson-East Coast Line.

11 February 2024 - A view of Exit 2, with a better view now that the noise barrier is beginning to
be removed.

11 February 2024 - The flood protection steps leading to Exit 2.

11 February 2024 - The lift shaft of Exit 2 already cast.

Across Keppel Road is the station's final exit and entry point - Exit 2. Of all the station's exits, this appears to be the most far along in construction with steps to the escalator and staircase access as well as the lift shaft completely cast. The recent removal of the noise barrier that previously shielded views of the exit now allows an opportunity to appreciate the construction progress made.

With most of the concrete structures of the station's exits approaching completion, work will begin shifting towards the installation of the metal frames for the roof. We expect that the next phase of construction will see the installation of the escalators at the station exits before the final pre-fabricated roof components are installed over the machinery.

This post will also be available on Instagram & Facebook on 21 February 2024.