The Changi Airport Branch Line will undergo conversion from the East West Line (EWL) to become part of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). Three stations—Tanah Merah, Expo, and Changi Airport, will be modified to allow TEL trains to operate on them, in line with the Land Transport Authority’s initiatives outlined in the Land Transport Master Plan 2040.
Modification works to convert the East West Line section between Tanah Merah and Changi Airport will commence in 2025, according to delivery dates specified in Contract T3206. These works are expected to be completed by 2031.
By 2040, the Thomson-East Coast Line will be extended beyond its current terminus at TE31DT37Â Sungei Bedok station to CG2Â Changi Airport. Called the Thomson-East Coast Line Extension (TELe), it will pass through the future Terminal 5 and eventually connect to Expo and Tanah Merah stations, forming a continuous line between Woodlands North and Tanah Merah.
Initial reporting in LTMP 2040
In May 2019, the Land Transport Master Plan 2040 announced the Thomson-East Coast Line Extension (TELe) linking Sungei Bedok Station to Changi Airport. This extension will traverse through the anticipated Terminal 5 and integrate with the segment between Tanah Merah and Changi Airport on the East-West Line, which is slated for conversion to become part of the TELe.
Besides establishing a direct rail link from Changi Airport to the City, the TELe will seamlessly connect Changi Airport to stations along the TEL up to Woodlands North. This connectivity will enable commuters to potentially transfer to and from the future Singapore-Johor Bahru Rapid Transit System Link.
Changi Airport Terminal 5 station will be an interchange station between the TEL and the Cross Island Line (CRL). An extension of the CRL from Aviation Park to Changi Airport T5 has yet to be formally announced, nor has the alignment of the TELe between Sungei Bedok and Changi Airport.
Tanah Merah Modification Project
Currently, the Changi Airport Branch Line operates as a shuttle train service between EW4CGÂ Tanah Merah and CG2Â Changi Airport along the East West Line, with only a single platform at Tanah Merah. A new platform is being constructed at Tanah Merah station for eastbound East West Line services, freeing up a second middle platform at Tanah Merah that will facilitate faster train turnarounds, allowing trains to arrive and depart at the station at shorter intervals.
Contract T315 – Addition and Alteration Works to Existing Tanah Merah Station and Existing Viaducts was awarded to Lum Chang Building Contractors Pte Ltd for S$325 million in October 2016.
Connection to East Coast Depot
When completed in 2026, East Coast Integrated Depot will serve the EWL, DTL and TEL under one roof. A single reception track was also built to connect the TELe with the East Coast Integrated Depot.
Project Challenges
The EWL and TEL utilize different rolling stock, signalling systems, and associated railway subsystems. Therefore, system modification works are required to enable TEL trains to operate on the existing EWL tracks.
Another challenge relates to the configuration of train doors. EWL trains are configured in six-car sets with four doors per car, whereas TEL trains are configured in four-car sets with five doors per car. Modifications or replacement of the existing platform screen doors will be necessary to accommodate this difference. Additionally, at Changi Airport station, the positioning of columns prevents TEL trains from opening all doors simultaneously. This may require implementing selective door operation, unless alternative solutions can be found to address this constraint.
Furthermore, the above-ground segments of the Changi Airport branch line introduce additional operational considerations for the TEL, which predominantly operates underground except for Mandai Depot, an open-air facility. These considerations may have already been addressed during the proposal of the T251 fleet for operation on the RTS Link.
Changi Airport Branch Modification Works
Modification works to the existing East West Line stations at Tanah Merah, Expo and Changi Airport would be done under Contract T3206 – Addition and Alteration to Changi Airport Line. The tender was called on 29 April 2024.
According to delivery dates specified, modification works are expected to commence in 2025, 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
TELe Civil Engineering Works
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.
Track Diagrams:
Future track diagrams are indicative only and subject to changes.
See Also
References
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.