Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange and terminus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Location | 81 Telok Blangah Road Singapore 098867 [1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 01°15′55″N103°49′20″E / 1.26528°N 103.82222°E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operated by | SBS Transit Ltd (ComfortDelGro Corporation) (North East line) SMRT Trains Ltd (SMRT Corporation) (Circle line) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Line(s) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Platforms | 4 (2 island platforms) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tracks | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Connections | HarbourFront Bus Interchange, Sentosa Express, Taxi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Structure type | Underground | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Platform levels | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parking | Yes (VivoCity, HarbourFront Centre) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bicycle facilities | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accessible | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
History | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Opened | 20 June 2003 (North East line) 8 October 2011 (Circle line) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrified | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Previous names | World Trade Centre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Passengers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
June 2024 | 45,982 per day [2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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HarbourFront MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station in Singapore. The termini of the North East line (NEL) and Circle line (CCL), the station serves the HarbourFront area and Sentosa. Surrounding retail and commercial developments include VivoCity and HarbourFront Centre, and the station is near HarbourFront Bus Interchange and the Singapore Cruise Centre.
The NEL station was first announced as World Trade Centre MRT station in March 1996 as one of the line's 16 stations. Its construction involved several road diversions and the opening of the drainage culverts. The NEL station was completed on 20 June 2003. The CCL platforms opened on 8 October 2011 along with Stages 4 and 5 of the line.
Reflecting the station's location by the Singapore Strait, the station concourse has an elliptical motif resembling a ship hull. The station features three artworks as part of the Art-in-Transit programme. The NEL platforms and concourse display a series of line-drawings by Ian Woo, while the CCL platforms feature Commuting Waves by Jason Ong and a set of art seats entitled Matrix.
In preliminary studies for the North East line (NEL) in 1986, it was planned for the line to terminate at Outram Park station, rather than HarbourFront. [3] In a later study in 1995, the planned NEL was extended to serve World Trade Centre. [4] After plans for the new line were approved by the government in January 1996, [5] the station, then tentatively named World Trade Centre, was among the 16 NEL stations announced by communications minister Mah Bow Tan in March 1996. [6]
The contract for constructing the station and tunnels was awarded to Hyundai Engineering & Construction at S$132.8 million (US$ 143 million in 2022) in September 1997. [7] The scope of the contract included the widening of a section of Telok Blangah Road. [8] The new station was expected to boost retail and residential developments in the Telok Blangah area, which was known for the Keppel Harbour and associated industries. The Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) had cooperated with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) officials on redevelopment plans for the area. [9] To minimise impact on businesses in the area, the contractor used silent pilers when driving steel piles into the ground. These pilers created less noise and vibrations compared to conventional pilers. [8]
The station was constructed near the seashore. In order to prevent water seepage into the site, the contractors injected cement into the soil surrounding the station site via jet grouting. Sheet piles were installed around the site, and tests were conducted to determine the amount of saltwater and groundwater at the site. The contractor initially considered rerouting the drainage system that channelled water to the sea but that was financially unfeasible. Instead, the culverts that crossed the site were cut open and diverted into temporary steel culverts or pipes that did not obstruct the works. [10] Due to the limited space, two of the World Trade Centre's exhibition halls were demolished to facilitate construction works. [11]
Concurrently, the Telok Blangah Road was being upgraded with a new vehicular overpass being constructed. [10] Hence, the LTA's road and rail project teams had to coordinate to maximise the efficiency of both projects. The rail project team had constructed 10 viaduct foundations for the road section that crosses the station site. At the same time, the contractor had to maintain the traffic flow in the area – not just for visitors to the World Trade Centre, but to prevent delays and disruptions to port operations nearby. The traffic was diverted to temporary steel decking that ran over the construction site. The roads were diverted at least 30 times for the station's construction. [11]
The contractors (Shimizu Corporation, Koh Brothers and Dillingham Construction International) for the 2.16 km (1.34 mi) of tunnelling works between this station and the adjacent Outram Park station had to monitor for any ground movement for the shophouses and ensure operations for the Malaysian rail service was not affected. A dual-mode tunnel boring machine was used to deal with the varying soil conditions along the tunnel route. [12]
HarbourFront station opened on 20 June 2003 with the rest of the NEL stations. [13] [14] In October 2012, the LTA announced that the NEL overrun tunnel would be extended by 50 m (160 ft). Completed at the end of 2014 at a cost of S$8.2 million (US$6.6 million), the extension is to facilitate quicker turnarounds for southbound trains. [15]
As part of a joint emergency preparedness exercise by the LTA and train operators SBS Transit and SMRT, security screenings were held at the station on 2 August 2019. [16] The screening machines deployed for the exercise include mass screening devices and X-Ray machines to check for possible threat items like firearms. Such exercises were conducted to test established response protocols and maintain vigilance for quicker and more effective responses during emergencies and heightened security situations. [17]
In 2001, Yeo Cheow Tong, the communications minister, announced that the Circle line (CCL) will serve the HarbourFront area. [18] [19] On 12 December 2003, the LTA confirmed that HarbourFront station will interchange with the CCL and the new platforms would be constructed as part of CCL Stage 5 (CCL5). [20] This segment consisted of five stations from West Coast station to this station. [21]
The contract for the fitting out works for the CCL station and connecting tunnels was awarded to SembCorp Engineers & Constructors Pte Ltd (SembCorp E&C) at S$335.38 million (US$198.7 million) in October 2004. [22] The contract include civil, architectural and building works for the West Coast, Pasir Panjang, Alexandra and Telok Blangah stations, alongside 3.4 km (2.1 mi) of twin bored tunnels and 640 m (700 yd) of cut and cover tunnels. [23]
To facilitate construction works for the CCL platforms, Platform A of the NEL station was closed on 30 October 2005. Trains on the NEL from Punggol station terminated at Outram Park station, while a special shuttle train was launched for services between Outram Park and HarbourFront. [24] In December 2009, structure works for the CCL station were completed, with backfilling in progress. [25] As announced by transport minister Lui Tuck Yew during his visit to the CCL4 and 5 stations on 1 August 2011, [26] [27] the CCL platforms began revenue service on 8 October that year. [28] [29]
On 17 January 2013, transport minister Lui Tuck Yew announced that the CCL would be extended from HarbourFront station to Marina Bay station as part of CCL Stage 6. [30] Tunnelling works between this station and Keppel station began on 25 July 2019, [31] and were completed in August 2020. [32]
HarbourFront station is the terminus of the NEL and CCL; its official station code is NE1/CC29. On the NEL, the adjacent station is Outram Park station. Trains turnaround by using the cripple siding on the west end of the station or the crossover on the east end of the station. The next stop on the CCL in the clockwise direction is Telok Blangah station. [33] Trains turnaround on the CCL terminus by using crossovers located at both ends of the station. With the completion of CCL6, the subsequent station in the counterclockwise direction will be Keppel. [34] Designed by Architects61, the station concourse has an elliptical motif resembling a ship hull, alongside floor patterns and the artwork that reflects the station's location by the Singapore Strait. [8] [35]
The station is underneath Telok Blangah Road and has five entrances. [1] [36] HarbourFront station serves various commercial and retail developments including HarbourFront Centre and VivoCity. [36] It is the closest MRT station to the tourist island of Sentosa. [37] The station is also near HarbourFront Bus Interchange, Seah Im Food Centre, Singapore Cruise Centre and Mount Faber Park, along with the cultural sites of Temenggong Mosque and St James Power Station. [36] [38]
The NEL station is designated as a Civil Defence (CD) shelter. [39] [40] It is designed to accommodate at least 7,500 people and can withstand airstrikes and chemical attacks. Equipment essential for the operations in the CD shelter is mounted on shock absorbers to prevent damage during a bombing. When electrical supply to the shelter is disrupted, there are backup generators to keep operations going. [41] The shelter has dedicated built-in decontamination chambers and dry toilets with collection bins that will send human waste out of the shelter. [42]
The NEL and CCL platforms are wheelchair-accessible. A tactile system, consisting of tiles with rounded or elongated raised studs, [43] guides visually impaired commuters through the station, [13] [44] with dedicated tactile routes that connect the station entrances to the platforms or between either line's platforms. [45]
The station displays four artworks; three as part of the MRT network's Art-in-Transit programme – a showcase of public artworks on the MRT network [46] and one as part of SMRT's Comic Connect display, a public art display of heritage-themed murals. [47]
Enigmatic Appearances by Ian Woo is a series of line-drawings depicting various sea creatures, ships and clouds in minimalist style. Painted on 60 blue vitreous enamel wall panels, the work was intended to reflect the station's maritime theme and its location near the port. [46] [48] With its "dream-like" quality, [49] the figures are in fragments dispersed throughout the station, allowing commuters in the station to slowly perceive the artwork over time. [50] A set of footprints on the walls at the end of the NEL platforms references the station's role as the terminus of the NEL. [48] [50]
Inspirations for the artwork were derived from what Woo captured in his visit to the HarbourFront area. In addition to taking photos of the area, he wrote about his experiences during his trip. Creating the work required him to co-operate with the station's architects, since the LTA intended to integrate art with the station's design. Although Woo was used to working independently, he learnt to articulate his thoughts and intentions with the architectural team, with the help of NEL art coordinator Constance Sheares. The collaboration allowed Woo and the architectural team to have deeper insights into each other's works. While retaining his creative freedom over the work, Woo ensured that the work was compatible with the technical aspects of the station design. [51]
After the architects and the Art Review Panel approved his line drawings, the figures were painted and enlarged. This process took place across two weeks, with some revisions made due to the artist's dissatisfaction with some of the enlarged figures. The black-and-white figures were then coloured in blue at a vitreous enamel factory in England. Travelling to the factory to oversee the production process, Woo also gave further instructions and ensured the colours of the final product come out right. [49]
Displayed on the wall of the CCL platforms near the escalators, Commuting Waves by Jason Ong is a pair of sculptures depicting 3D waveforms. [52] [53] The waveforms were derived from commuter traffic at the station, with the positions of the glass 'fins' representing the passenger volume and train frequencies. [54] The work is intended to reflect the rhythm and flow of human activities, [46] which linked the work to the station's location, human values and the MRT system. [55]
The work was created through indeterminacy, inspired by experimental music of John Cage. The inspiration came when Ong was researching soundwaves (waveforms being a distinctive element of the waterfront area), and intended to create the waveforms based on the station's environment. Two assistants recorded the train frequency and passenger traffic on a randomly selected weekday and weekend. [53] The artist noted that the data was only derived from commuters on the NEL, since the CCL was not yet operational when the work was created. Nevertheless, he concluded that the graph shapes would remain similar if he were to include passenger numbers from the CCL. [56]
The graphs had to be transformed into sculptures that are "aesthetically pleasing". The protrusion and spacing of each "fin" were dependent on the passenger traffic and train frequency respectively. Using phase shift, a concept by minimalist composer Steve Reich, the data lines were spaced out from the original graphs. Each alternating frequency was split into different layers that spread across the walls. The eventual shapes of the waveforms were derived from the freehand outlines of the graphs. These outlines were also mirrored to produce the shapes. [56]
The sculptures are in red, which not only reflects the human rhythm but also complements the CCL station's theme, contrasting with the NEL's blue theme. While initially planned to use metal shapes, upon seeing the portfolio of the production team, Ong changed to glass. Ong grouped the fins into sets of six and used serialism to give each fin a different red "tone". The glass used were opaque edged, but as Ong did not like how it appeared, it was changed to transparent edged. An idea to create an illusion of wave moment was discarded due to various unresolved technical difficulties of getting the appropriate tone and colours for the illusion. [55]
The CCL platforms feature a set of "art seats" entitled Matrix. Though the platform seats are intended to be works of art, they are designed to remain functional and practical. [57] [58] This work by Lui Honfay and Yasmine Chan, along with Rain, was selected through the International Art Seats Design Competition in 2006. [57] Matrix consists of a series of benches engraved with the station name in a dot-matrix style on the seat surface. The dot-matrix system was adopted as it was flexible enough to be mass-produced for use in many stations. The intriguing combination of signage and seat "impressed" the judges who awarded it the top prize. [59]
There is a heritage themed mural in the CCL station created by local artists Monica Lim, Kevin Lee, and Chris Lim as a part of SMRT's Comic Connect display. [47] The mural features landmarks such as the Tang Gah Beo Taoist Temple, Catholic Church of St Teresa, Singapore Cruise Centre, and the Keppel terminal of the Port of Singapore. [60]
The North East Line (NEL) is a high-capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Singapore. Operated by ComfortDelGro's SBS Transit, the 20-kilometre (12-mile) line is the MRT's shortest. It runs from HarbourFront station in southern Singapore to Punggol station in the northeast, serving 16 stations via Chinatown, Little India, Serangoon and Hougang. Coloured purple on official maps, it is Singapore's third MRT line and the world's first fully-automated underground driverless heavy rail line.
The Circle Line (CCL) is a medium-capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Singapore. It runs in a loop from Dhoby Ghaut station in the city-centre to HarbourFront station in the south via Bishan station in the centre of the country. It also has a branch to Marina Bay station from Promenade station, which will be extended to HarbourFront station from 2026 to form a complete loop. Coloured orange on the rail map, the fully-underground line is approximately 35.5 kilometres (22.1 mi) long with 30 stations. Travelling from one end of the line to the other takes about an hour.
Outram Park MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station in Singapore. The station is on the East–West, North East and Thomson–East Coast lines, and is located near the junction of Outram Road, Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road on the boundary of Bukit Merah and Outram planning areas. It is the closest MRT station to Singapore General Hospital, the Police Cantonment Complex, Outram Community Hospital and the Health Promotion Board. The station was included in the early plans of the MRT network in 1982; it was constructed as part of the Phase I MRT segment from Novena, and was completed in December 1987.
Dhoby Ghaut MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the North South, North East and Circle lines in Singapore. Located beneath the eastern end of Orchard Road shopping belt in Dhoby Ghaut, Museum Planning Area, the station is integrated with the commercial development The Atrium@Orchard. The station is near landmarks such as The Istana, the MacDonald House, Plaza Singapura and Dhoby Ghaut Green.
Paya Lebar MRT station is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the East West line (EWL) and Circle line (CCL) in Geylang, Singapore. Despite the name, this station is not located in Paya Lebar but rather along Paya Lebar Road, near the junction with Sims Avenue. It is located among the developments of the Paya Lebar Central commercial hub and near the Geylang Serai district.
Bishan MRT station is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the North–South (NSL) and Circle (CCL) lines in Bishan, Singapore. The station is located along Bishan Road within the town centre; it is integrated with Junction 8 shopping centre and is close to Bishan Bus Interchange. Nearby schools include Raffles Institution, Catholic High School, and Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary and Secondary Schools.
Marina Bay MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the North South (NSL), Circle (CCL) and Thomson–East Coast (TEL) lines in Singapore. Located in the Downtown Core district near Marina Bay, the station serves the Marina One Residences, Marina Bay Suites and the Marina Bay Financial Centre.
Serangoon MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the North East (NEL) and Circle (CCL) lines. Situated in Serangoon, Singapore along Upper Serangoon Road and Serangoon Central, the station is integrated with the Nex shopping complex and the Serangoon Bus Interchange. The station is near the Serangoon Neighbourhood Police Centre and Braddell Heights Community Hub and serves various residential estates in the area.
Botanic Gardens MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the Circle line (CCL) and the Downtown line (DTL). Situated in Tanglin, Singapore, the station is located northwest of the Singapore Botanic Gardens at the junction of Bukit Timah Road and Cluny Park Road. Other nearby developments of the station include Crown Centre, Serene Centre, Cluny Court, Adam Road Food Centre and the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law.
Promenade MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the Downtown (DTL) and Circle (CCL) lines in Downtown Core, Singapore. Located underneath Temasek Avenue and adjacent to Millenia Tower, the station serves several key attractions and locations such as Suntec City and the Marina Promenade, which the station is named after. The station is at the junction of the Dhoby Ghaut and Marina Bay branches of the CCL.
Stadium MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Circle Line (CCL). Located in the area of Kallang, Central Region, Singapore, the station serves the Singapore Sports Hub and its facilities including the National Stadium, Indoor Stadium, Kallang Theatre and Leisure Park Kallang. It is operated by SMRT Trains.
Bras Basah MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Circle line (CCL) located in the Museum planning area, Singapore. It is underneath Bras Basah Road, bordering Waterloo Street and Queen Street. Located next to the Singapore Management University (SMU), this station is in proximity to the National Museum of Singapore, the Singapore Art Museum, Peranakan Museum and the Singapore School of the Arts. The station is connected to the nearby Bencoolen station on the Downtown line (DTL) via an unpaid link.
Bayfront MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the Downtown line (DTL) and Circle line (CCL). Located in the Downtown Core of Singapore, the station is underneath Bayfront Avenue and serves the main tourist attractions of Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay.
Haw Par Villa MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Circle line (CCL) in Queenstown, Singapore. Located underneath West Coast Highway and Pasir Panjang Road, the station serves the nearby Haw Par Villa, alongside the Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre.
Kent Ridge MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Circle Line (CCL). Located in the eponymous Kent Ridge of Queenstown, Singapore, the station is near the junction of South Buona Vista Road and Lower Kent Ridge Road. The station serves the National University Hospital and the National University of Singapore.
Labrador Park MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Circle line, located within Bukit Merah planning area, Singapore.
Holland Village MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Circle line (CCL), located along the boundary of Bukit Timah and Queenstown planning areas in Singapore. Situated close to the junction of Holland Avenue and Holland Road, it primarily serves the area of Holland Village, where its name was derived from. The station is operated by SMRT Trains.
Caldecott MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the Circle line (CCL) and Thomson–East Coast line (TEL), located in Toa Payoh planning area, Singapore. It is situated underneath Toa Payoh Link near the junction of Toa Payoh Rise, located near the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH), the Caldecott Broadcast Centre and Mount Alvernia Hospital. The station is operated by SMRT Trains.
Sengkang MRT/LRT station is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) interchange station in Sengkang, Singapore. It is an interchange between the North East line (NEL) and Sengkang LRT (SKLRT). Along with Buangkok station, it is located within the Sengkang planning area.
Keppel MRT station is a future underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Circle line, located in Bukit Merah planning area, Singapore. This station is part of Stage 6 of the Circle line (CCL6) which will "close the circle" between the HarbourFront and Marina Bay stations. The station will be located along Keppel Road, near to the Keppel Harbour. Slated for completion by 2026, Keppel station will serve the upcoming Greater Southern Waterfront.
Minor hitches aside, the North-East Line got off to a smooth start yesterday