First announced in May 1982 as Chai Cheestation, it was renamed to Bedok station and was confirmed to be part of Phase II of the MRT system. It commenced operations on 4 November 1989 along with other stations on the eastern stretch of the line. Half-height platform screen doors were installed at the station in 2012, along with high-volume-low-speed fans that following year.
Built with a domed roof and an island platform layout on the top floor, the station is two-stories tall with its ticketing office on the ground floor. It is connected to its exits by underground passageways. As a part of SMRT's heritage-themed public art display, there is a mural that details the history and landmarks of Bedok.
History
Bedok station was first included in the initial plans of the MRT system as Chai Chee station in May 1982.[4] It was later confirmed to be constructed as part of Phase II of the MRT as Bedok station in October 1983.[5] The contract for the construction of Bedok station was awarded to a partnership between the Obayashi Corporation and Resources Development Pte Ltd for S$70 million(1986) (US$32.15 million) in January 1986. The contract also included the construction of Kembangan station, and the construction of 3.2 kilometres (2.0mi) of rail viaducts and 575 metres (629yd) of cut-and-cover tunnels between Jalan Senang and Siglap Road/New Upper Changi Road junction.[6] Construction works began in March 1986.[7]
In order for the station to be constructed, New Upper Changi Road had to be widened.[8] Additionally, the junction of Upper Changi Road and New Changi Road was closed from June to mid-September 1986 in order to build the tunnels.[9] Bedok station opened on 4 November 1989 along with all other EWL segments from Bugis to Tanah Merah.[10][11] After its opening, it was reported that the lack of a sheltered walkway to the bus interchange caused "passengers [to be] trapped at the station... [which caused] overcrowding".[12] Construction for a sheltered walkway started in October 1991, with an expected completion date of May 1992.[13]
Safety
In January 1988, during the construction of the station, a schoolgirl fell through a gap in the pavement at New Upper Changi Road that led to a 4m deep drain. The station's contractors had previously removed the barriers around the gap. The pavement subsequently had its gap covered up by a metal sheet.[14]
In September 2000, a 70-year-old man was run over by an eastbound train outside of the station. The driver did see the man and applied emergency brakes, though it was too late.[15]
Following a rise in track intrusions as well as commuters slipping when rushing for the train, the LTA and SMRT decided to install platform screen doors.[16] After several successful tests at Jurong East, Yishun, and Pasir Ris, half-height platform screen doors were eventually installed and commenced operations at Bedok station by March 2012.[17] The station had high-volume low-speed fans installed by the first quarter of 2013.[18]
It is a two-story elevated station with a ticketing office on the ground floor and an island platform on the elevated floor.[8] It has three underground exits primarily serving the Bedok Mall, Bedok Bus Interchange and the eponymous hawker centre, Heartbeat@Bedok, and Bedok Point.[25] It has often been described as one of the busiest stations on the Eastern portion of the EWL.[12][26] During its opening day, 17,614 people entered the station before 20:00 Singapore Standard Time (UTC+08:00).[27]
A subway exit of the station
Like many EWL stations in the East, Bedok station has a dome-shaped roof[a], which was an attempt by the MRT Corporation (MRTC) to give the stations on the EWL an "attractive look".[28] The platform is also column-free so that it gives commuters "maximum visibility of the area and ease of movement".[19] Additionally, as a part of SMRT's heritage-themed artwork showcase Comic Connect, the station features a mural created by students from APSN Katong school.[29] The mural showcases Bedok's history and landmarks such as the Bedok Reservoir, Opera and Frankel residential estates, and Simpang Bedok–a former village turned food hub.[30]
Notes
↑ The Straits Times has compared the roof to a caterpillar in one article[28] and a rib cage in another article[27]
References
↑ "System Map"(PDF). LTA (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 10 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
↑ "System Map"(PDF). LTA (in Tamil). Archived(PDF) from the original on 13 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
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