The Changi Airport Branch Line will be converted from the East-West Line (EWL) to form part of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). As part of this conversion, three stations—Tanah Merah, Expo, and Changi Airport—will be modified to support TEL operations. These plans were announced under the Land Transport Master Plan 2040 (LTMP 2040).
According to delivery timelines specified in Contract T3206, modification works on the EWL section between Tanah Merah and Changi Airport are scheduled to commence in 2025 and are expected to be completed by 2031.
By 2040, the TEL will be extended beyond its current terminus at TE31DT37 Sungei Bedok to CG2 Changi Airport. This 14-km extension, known as the Thomson–East Coast Line Extension (TELe), will pass through the future Changi Airport Terminal 5 and connect with Expo and Tanah Merah stations, forming a continuous rail corridor between Woodlands North and Tanah Merah.
Initial reporting in LTMP 2040
In May 2019, the Land Transport Master Plan 2040 formally announced the Thomson–East Coast Line Extension, linking Sungei Bedok station to Changi Airport. The extension will pass through the planned Terminal 5 and incorporate the existing East West Line segment between Tanah Merah and Changi Airport, which is slated for conversion into the TELe.
Beyond providing a direct rail connection between Changi Airport and the city centre, the TELe will enable seamless travel along the TEL corridor up to Woodlands North. This enhanced connectivity will allow commuters to transfer conveniently to and from the future Singapore–Johor Bahru Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.
The Changi Airport Terminal 5 station will also serve as an interchange between the TEL and the Cross Island Line (CRL). This arrangement was officially announced on 25 July 2025.
Project Challenges
The East-West Line and Thomson-East Coast Line employ different rolling stock types, signalling systems, and supporting railway subsystems. As a result, extensive system modifications are required to allow TEL trains to operate on infrastructure originally designed for the EWL.
Train door configuration presents a further challenge. EWL trains operate in six-car formations with four doors per car, while TEL trains run in four-car formations with five doors per car. Platform screen doors at affected stations will therefore require modification or replacement. At Changi Airport station, the presence of structural columns prevents all TEL train doors from opening simultaneously. This constraint may necessitate the use of selective door operation unless alternative engineering solutions are implemented.
In addition, the Changi Airport Branch Line includes above-ground sections, whereas the TEL is predominantly underground, except for the open-air Mandai Depot. These surface-level segments introduce additional operational considerations, although this may have already been assessed during the initial procurement of the Kawasaki-Sifang T251 trains, which were also proposed for use on the RTS Link.
Construction Phases
Tanah Merah Modification Project
Before modification works, the Changi Airport Branch Line operated as a shuttle service between EW4CGÂ Tanah Merah and CG2Â Changi Airport, using a single dedicated platform at Tanah Merah station.
As part of the modification project, a new platform was constructed to serve eastbound EWL services. This will free up a second central platform for use by TEL services, enabling faster train turnarounds and shorter headways.
Contract T315 – Addition and Alteration Works to Existing Tanah Merah Station and Existing Viaducts was awarded to Lum Chang Building Contractors Pte Ltd in October 2016, with a contract value of S$325 million. The new eastbound EWL platform opened on Monday, 8 December 2025, following a 9-day closure of the EWL.
Changi Airport Branch Modification Works
Modification works to the existing East West Line stations at Tanah Merah, Expo and Changi Airport would be performed under Contract T3206 – Addition and Alteration to Changi Airport Line. The tender was called on 29 April 2024. On 14 July 2025, the contract was awarded to Chiu Teng Construction Co. Pte. Ltd. at a contract sum of $94,260,500.00.
According to the delivery dates specified, modification works are expected to commence in 2025Â and are due for completion by 2031.
- East Coast Line Construction: T3206 – Conversion of the Changi Airport Line (erl-construction.blogspot.com)
- Preparatory work to connect Thomson-East Coast Line with Changi Airport to begin in 2025 | The Straits Times
Tunnelling underneath Changi Airport
Contract T316 – Changi Airport Underground Infrastructure – involves the construction and completion of twin bored tunnels extending eastward from CG2 Changi Airport station towards CR1TExx Changi Airport T5 (final station name to be announced). This scope includes the construction of associated cross passages, launch shafts, underground infrastructure, low point sumps within the tunnels, and related ancillary works.
Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co (Singapore) Pte Ltd (STEC) was awarded Contract T316 for S$321.7 million. In 2022, STEC’s website indicated a contract duration from October 2019 to September 2026. However, as of 2024, the website has been updated to reflect a revised timeframe spanning from 2019 to 2031.
Future Connection to East Coast Depot
Upon its completion in 2026, the East Coast Integrated Depot will house the East-West Line, Downtown Line, and Thomson–East Coast Line within a single facility.
A dedicated reception track will likely be constructed to connect the TELe to ECID.
Track Diagrams:
Future track diagrams are indicative only and subject to change.
Indicative Track Layout at Changi Airport T5
The indicative future track layout at Changi Airport T5 was released in Urban Redevelopment Authority documents, within the Draft Master Plan 2025 for the North-East Region (see: “Fun by the Water, Play Near Home” initiative), and later in the URA Master Plan 2025.
See Also
References
- Land Transport Master Plan 2040
- Preparatory work to connect Thomson-East Coast Line with Changi Airport to begin in 2025 – The Straits Times [Accessed 1 May 2024]
- Fun by the Water, Play Near Home – Urban Development Authority Draft Master Plan 2025 [Accessed 21 Jul 2025]
- Thomson-East Coast Line Extension and Cross Island Line: Connecting Changi Airport Directly to the City Centre and Major Hubs – Land Transport Authority [Accessed 25 Jul 2025]
As far as I am concerned, the EOL of CGA Line is close to a runway. That is why the overrun track is shorter than the length of the train…
Modification works to convert the East West Line section between Tanah Merah and Changi Airport expected to be completed by 2031.
Thomson-East Coast Line will be extended beyond its current terminus at Sungei Bedok station to Changi Airport by 2040.
So what is going to happen in between the years 2031 to 2040?
it’s probably an overestimation or something
I have the feeling it will operate as 2 service
(Tanah merah CGA) & (woodlands north sungei bedok) ???
2025 to 2031 is preparatory works before conversion, i.e. alteration works to the existing stations
I believe the actual conversion will begin after the preparatory works are completed, probably in 2031
I believe, the reason for conversion is because no space to build another station next to Changi Airport station. At the same time, need to provide MRT connection from Changi T5 to the EWL network. Conversion is the practical option (for the first reason) and the most effective option (for the second reason).
In terms of modifications to be done, it should be just the platform screen doors and signalling systems. Even the Changi Airport station, where the concern is on the columns, it’s just an adjustment of the train stopping position only.
Would expect the transition to mirror the HDB lift replacement programme closely. Whereby each time close one track to do modification and run as TEL thereafter.
Which means to say,
1. EWL + EWL
2. EWL + one track closed for modification.
3. Other track closed for modification + TEL.
4. TEL + TEL.
Reason: they need to keep the MRT connection running between Tanah Merah and Changi Airport during the transition period.
In terms of service, with only one track being used, it will really operate like lift like that. Probably just one train in service, with another train on standby at the depot.
Anyway, each oscillation (TNM to CGA to TNM) takes about 27 mins. It may be inevitable that the waiting time will be this long, during the transition period.
But it’s either this long frequency, or temporary closure of the Changi Airport Line altogether.
Anyway, got Downtown Line already connecting to Expo station. The only connection need to take care of is the connection to Changi Airport.
I believe they will maintain the train connection, although at 27 mins frequency. They will probably encourage people to go and take the available bus routes during this transition period, or take taxi, to get to and fro Changi Airport.
(Anyway, take plane, need to arrive at airport minimumly 2 hours before departure. Standard is 3 hours before departure. Even if have to wait 27 mins for the train, there shouldn’t be much impact. If don’t want wait so long, can take bus or taxi instead to get to Changi Airport.)
Pretty much, the above is what would most probably happen.
Each transition period, most probably would only take up to one year. (6 months modification + 6 months testing and commissioning).
I believe, if they intend to start the transition in 2025, it is in tandem with the Tanah Merah modification project completion and the East Coast integrated depot completion.
Which means to say, the TEL may potentially take over the Tanah Merah to Changi Airport section earlier, before the TEL at Sungei Bedok actually extend to Changi T5 and Changi Airport. Potentially transition announcement in 2025, start transitioning in 2026, and 2027 start TEL takeover, 2028 full service resumed under TEL branding.
The above is just my speculation on the matter. It may differ from the official announcement and what may eventually happen.
For the greater good of Singapore, tourist arriving in Singapore should not have to wrestle with multiple MRT line. Just TEL to Orchard MRT.
Extend TEL but don’t remove CGL. To Expo, make it underground and don’t remove the CGL Expo station. Make it a side platform at the lower track. To Tanah Merah, it will end at underground so the middle 2 tracks won’t be removed and make it an island platform. Will have crossover tracks at Tanah Merah underground. For Changi Airport, make it stacked platforms but don’t remove CGL and TEL will be upper platform.
Don’t make things too difficult as it already is, constructing a whole new underground station would not only be unnecessary, but the cost, as well as the space constraints at both Changi Airport and Tanah Merah means that conversion from CGL to TEL is much easier. And anyways, with the underground TEL stations, it will duplicate the CGL which has a 10 minute frequency, so who want to take CGL now? Better to transfer to TEL.