Newton MRT station

NS21 – DT11  Newton 纽顿 நியூட்டன்
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange
Exit B of Newton MRT station
General information
Location	49 Scotts Road Singapore 228234 (NSL) [1] 235 Bukit Timah Road Singapore 229901 (DTL) [2]
Coordinates	1°18′47″N103°50′18″E / 1.312956°N 103.838442°E / 1.312956; 103.838442
Operated by	SMRT Trains Ltd (SMRT Corporation) (North South line) SBS Transit DTL (ComfortDelGro Corporation) (Downtown line)
Line(s)	North–South Line   Downtown Line
Platforms	4 (2 island platforms)
Tracks	4
Connections	Bus, taxi
Construction
Structure type	Underground
Platform levels	2
Parking	Yes (external) [1]
Bicycle facilities	Yes
Accessible	Yes
History
Opened	12 December 1987;35 years ago (1987-12-12) (North South line) 27 December 2015;7 years ago (2015-12-27) (Downtown line)
Electrified	Yes
Previous names	Newton Circus [3] [4]
Passengers
July 2020	27,666 per day [5]
Services
Preceding station Mass Rapid Transit Following station Novena towards Jurong East North–South Line Orchard towards Marina South Pier Stevens towards Bukit Panjang Downtown Line Little India towards Expo
Location
Newton Newton station in Singapore

Newton MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the North South (NSL) and Downtown (DTL) lines. It is located in Newton, Singapore, at the junction of Scotts Road and Bukit Timah Road near Newton Circus. The station serves the offices and condominiums around Newton Circus including Goldbell Towers and Scotts Highpark, and it is within walking distance to the Newton Food Centre.

The NSL station opened on 12 December 1987 as part of the line's extension to Outram Park via Raffles Place station. The NSL station is designated as a Civil Defence Shelter with a reinforced structure. With the opening of DTL Stage 2 on 27 December 2015, Newton became a interchange station. An additional entrance, designed by SAA Architects, serves the new DTL station, which features an artwork Newton by Messymsxi as part of the network's Art-in-Transit programme.

History

North South line

NSL platforms of the station

The contract for the design and construction of Newton Circus station was awarded to a joint venture between French Dregages et Travaux Publics and Sembawang Shipyard at S$43 million (US$20.2 million) in January 1984. The station was one of the stations on the line designated as a Civil Defence Shelter. ^[6] To facilitate the construction, the segment of Scotts Road from Newton Circus to Orchard Road had to be diverted for about 28 months. ^[7] In September, the station name was shortened to "Newton", and the site was shifted slightly towards Scotts Road instead of being underneath Newton Circus. ^[4] On 21 May 1985, Newton station was one of four stations affected by flooding in the area. ^[8]

During the construction, jet grouting was used to strengthen the soil, which required lane closures along Scotts Road. ^{[9] [10] [11]} This was to address the varying ground conditions around the site. ^[12] Voids were also discovered during the construction (on 21 October 1985 and 18 May 1986), which led the closure of Scotts Road for safety reasons. ^{[13] [14]}

The station had an open house on 14 and 15 November 1987, ^[15] which drew small crowds of about 1,200 people on the first day of its preview. ^[16] The station opened for service on 12 December when the line extension to Outram Park station was completed. ^{[17] [18]} In light of the extension, a new bus stop along Scotts Road was built to serve commuters at the station. ^[19]

Downtown line

DTL platforms of the station

The station was first announced to be an interchange station with the DTL when the DTL2 (Downtown line Stage 2) stations were unveiled on 15 July 2008. ^[20] Contract 920 for the design and construction of Newton station and tunnels was awarded to Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. Ltd at a contract value of S$355.7 million (US$244.5 million) in September 2009. Construction of the station was targeted to complete by 2015. ^[21] Four 6.35-metre (20.8 ft) diameter EPS machines were used to construct the bored tunnels. ^[22] The station opened on 27 December 2015 along with the other DTL2 stations. ^{[23] [24]}

As part of Exercise Station Guard 2018, on 14 February 2018, the DTL station implemented security measures such as X-ray machines and walk-through metal detectors for screening commuters. The exercise was part of the emergency preparedness ground deployment exercise, to "test and validate" Singapore's readiness when security measures were enhanced during a national threat. In addition, the exercise also allowed the operator SBS Transit to review their security measures. ^{[25] [26]}

Incidents

On the morning of 13 February 2013, a fire broke out in an MRT tunnel just metres from the station, which disrupted train services on the NSL for over two hours and affected around 15,000 commuters. The fire was caused by the short-circuiting of an electric cable 5 metres (16 ft) away from the station. Initially put out by the staff using a fire extinguisher, the fire reignited and caused smoke from the tunnel to travel to the station. The Singapore Civil Defence Force arrived at the station and managed to put it out. No one was injured during the incident. ^[27]

On 7 and 8 October 2017, this station was the temporary terminus for northbound trains from Marina South Pier station during the Bishan tunnel flooding, while services were suspended between the Ang Mo Kio and Newton stations. Normal services on the NSL resumed at around 2 pm on 8 October 2017. ^[28]

Station details

Location

Newton station is located near Newton Circus. The NSL station is located underneath Scotts Road, ^[1] while the DTL station is situated close to Newton Flyover and Bukit Timah Road. ^{[2] [29]} The station is close to the offices of Prudential and the UOB-Kay Hian Bank and other developments such as Balmoral Plaza, Goldbell Towers, ^[30] Scotts Highpark, Sheraton Towers and Cairnhill Community Club. It also serves the Newton Food Centre and educational institutions such as Ascott Center for Excellence, Anglo-Chinese Primary School, Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) and the Alliance Francaise De Singapour. ^{[29] [31] [32]}

Services

Concourse leading to the DTL platforms

Newton station is an interchange station between the North South and Downtown lines. On the NSL, the station is between the Novena and Orchard stations, while on the DTL it is between the Stevens and Little India stations. The station code is NS21–DT11 as reflected on official maps. ^[33]

The DTL station is not directly connected to the NSL station and hence commuters have to exit from either of the stations to transfer to another line via the 56-metre (184 ft) underpass that connects the two existing exits along Scotts Road. ^[34] The transfer is considered a "valid transfer" of a "journey" as long as it does not exceed 15 minutes. ^{[35] [36]}

Design

Exit C of the station designed by SAA Architects

The NSL station is simply designed and functional like many of the initial MRT stations. ^[37] The station has two underground levels ^[38] – the concourse and platform levels – with an island platform arrangement ^{[39] [40]} that allows sharing of a common platform for passengers going in either direction. ^{[41] [42]} To give the station a distinct character, Newton station adopts the colour scheme of saffron. ^[43] The NSL station has a length of 180 metres (590 ft) with a depth of 15 metres (49 ft). ^[44]

Newton NSL station is one of the first nine underground MRT stations to be designated as a Civil Defence (CD) shelter. As a CD shelter, the station has to be structurally reinforced against bomb attacks ^[45] with layers of earth-backed, air-backed and airtight walls and slabs. ^[46] The two entrances of the NSL station are designed to accommodate huge crowds entering the station and are equipped with steel sliding walls and blast locks. ^[47] It has two diesel generators that provide electricity to the station when the electrical supply to the station fails, ^[38] and a fully protected 300-cubic-metre (11,000 cu ft) water tank to supply the station when water supply is disrupted. ^[48]

Designed by SAA Architects, the round entrance serving the DTL station features a curved roof that contrasts against the flyover near the station. ^[49] The roof is cladded with aluminum bands that creates "undulating curve lines" relating to the ground surface. ^{[49] [50]} The combined effect of the light reflecting from the roof and the bands' shadows makes the station appear "alive" during the day, while the station becomes a "beacon" at night that brings commuters towards the station. ^[50] Intended to be a landmark that brings greenery to the urban landscape, ^[50] it gives the locality an "energetic visual effect". ^[49]

Artwork

The DTL station features "Newton" by Tan Zi Xi (alias Messymsxi) as part of the network's Art-in-Transit programme. ^{[lower-alpha 1]} Drawing inspiration from Singapore's and Newton's heritage, the artwork presents a speculative landscape of Singapore in 2200 ^{[51] [52] [53]} drawn in black and white. ^[54] Above ground, new buildings were constructed atop the preserved older buildings, as Singapore conserves its heritage while develops more spaces and amenities. The underwater landscape, which uses more organic architectural forms taking the appearance of coral reefs, is meant to be an "oasis" that contrasts against the dirty, crowded environment above ground. ^[55]

According to the artist, the artwork visualises what Singapore could be in an alternate reality or parallel universe as Singapore evolves and develops upwards and downwards. Through the city's creativity and resourcefulness, the artwork explores how Singapore would utilise its limited space and resources and the fate of its past architecture and heritage. ^{[51] [55]}

Notes and references

Notes

1. Public art showcase which integrates artworks into the MRT network

References

1. "Newton MRT Station (NS21)". OneMap. Singapore Land Authority.
2. "Newton MRT Station (DT11)". OneMap. Singapore Land Authority.
3. "Names for 42 MRT stations". Singapore Monitor. 20 September 1984. Archived from the original on 9 September 2020.
4. "Six stations are renamed and others moved". The Straits Times . 21 September 1984. p. 10. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
5. "Land Transport DataMall". mytransport.sg. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
6. "Newton MRT award for joint venture firm". Singapore Monitor. 9 January 1984. p. 2.
7. "Diversion at Scotts Rd will last 28 months". Singapore Monitor. 6 July 1984. p. 18.
8. "MRT worksites hit by floods". The Straits Times. 23 May 1984. p. 18.
9. "Closed for MRT work". The Straits Times. 21 August 1985.
10. "Part of Scotts Rd to close". The Straits Times. 5 January 1986. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
11. "Part of road closed". The Straits Times. 20 March 1986. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
12. "Why MRT's having tunnelling woes in Scotts Road area". The Straits Times. 31 December 1985. Archived from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
13. "Why MRT's having tunnelling woes in Scotts Road area". Business Times. 22 October 1985. Archived from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
14. "Section of Scotts Road closed again". The Straits Times. 19 May 1986. Archived from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
15. "Open days at 9 MRT stations". The Straits Times. 13 November 1987. Archived from the original on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
16. "Small crowds at Newton and Novena stations' open day". The Straits Times. 15 November 1987. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
17. "20 stations by next year". The Straits Times. 6 November 1987. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
18. Rav, Dhaliwal (12 December 1987). "Shopping for Xmas the MRT way..." The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2017– via eResources.
19. "Two new bus-stops for MRT users". The Straits Times. 14 December 1987. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
20. "Downtown Line 2 Station Sites Named". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
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25. Khan, Ahmad (4 February 2018). "Commuters try out X-ray machines, metal detectors in Newton MRT station security exercise". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 28 January 2019.
26. "LTA | News Room | News Releases | Joint News Release by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) & SBS Transit – Emergency Preparedness Exercise for Heightened Security Threats". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
27. Tan, Amelia (13 February 2013). "Newton MRT fire: Fire caused by electrical cable which short-circuited". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
28. "Timeline of NSL disruption due to flooded MRT tunnel". Channel NewsAsia. 8 October 2017. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
29. "Train Service Information". SBSTransit. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
30. "About Goldbell Towers". Goldbell Towers Office. Archived from the original on 9 September 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
31. "Visit & Contact us". Alliance Française de Singapour. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
32. "SMRT Journeys". Newton Station Exits. Archived from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
33. "MRT System Map" (PDF). www.lta.gov.sg. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 August 2020.
34. Feng, Zengkun (2017). Downtown Line: Soaring to new heights. Singapore: Straits Times Press Pte Ltd. p. 65. ISBN   978-981-4747-66-0. OCLC   1003852882.
35. Lim, Adrian (2 December 2015). "Exit and re-enter on two DTL2 transfers". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 13 February 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
36. "Transit Link Travel Information". www.transitlink.com.sg. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
37. Sajan, Chantal (29 February 2020). "Early stations' bare essentials". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
38. MRTC 1987, p. 123.
39. MRTC 1987, p. 30.
40. MRTC 1987, p. 87.
41. MRTC 1984, p. B7.
42. Rav Dhaliwal (28 April 1987). "Getting to know the network and how it will work". The Straits Times. p. 19. Archived from the original on 5 April 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
43. "Reflections of our lifestyle". The Straits Times. 12 December 1987. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
44. MRTC 1987, p. 147.
45. MRTC 1984, p. B10.
46. MRTC 1987, p. 125.
47. MRTC 1987, p. 124.
48. MRTC 1987, p. 126.
49. "Downtown Line Newton Interchange Station DT11 Granted TOP". SAA Group Architects. 31 August 2015. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
50. "Newton Interchange Station – SAA Architects". SAA Architects. Archived from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
51. "Art-in-Transit". SBSTransit. 21 August 2020. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
52. "Getting Around – Public Transport – A Better Public Transport Experience – Art in Transit". www.lta.gov.sg. 25 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
53. Reduwan, Amirah Liyana (27 November 2015). "Downtown Line 2: Art in Transit". The New Paper. Archived from the original on 9 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
54. Salleh, Nur Asyiqin Mohamad (29 November 2015). "Art galore on upcoming MRT Downtown Line". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
55. "Newton". Messymsxi. 30 March 2016. Archived from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.

Bibliography

• Information portfolio. Singapore: Mass Rapid Transit Corporation. 1984.
• Mass Rapid Transit System : Proceedings of the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Conference. Singapore: Mass Rapid Transit Corporation. 1987. ISBN   9971-84-636-5. OCLC   82363485.

External links

• Media related to Newton MRT Station at Wikimedia Commons
• SMRT official website
• SBS Transit official site