The Tanah Merah Modification Project is a series of ongoing rail infrastructure upgrades centred around Tanah Merah MRT station on Singapore’s East West Line (EWL). The project forms part of broader network enhancements related to the commissioning of East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID) and the future conversion of the EWL’s Changi Airport Branch Line to the Thomson–East Coast Line (TEL).
Starting in 2016, works included the construction of a new platform at Tanah Merah station, the modification of existing track alignments, and the connection of the EWL to the new ECID. Since 2024, some of these works necessitated multi-day closures of the EWL, affecting commuter services.
Background
Tanah Merah MRT station is a key interchange station along the EWL. Since 2001, it has served as an interchange between the EWL main line and the Changi Airport Branch line, via a convenient cross-platform transfer.
In August 2014, LTA announced plans to expand Tanah Merah station with a new platform to increase the frequency of the Changi Airport branch, and to connect the existing EWL tracks to the new four-in-one depot at Changi, now known as the East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID). Construction work on ECID began in late 2016 and was completed in 2025.
Later, in May 2019, the Land Transport Master Plan 2040 formally announced the Thomson–East Coast Line Extension (TELe), linking Sungei Bedok station to Changi Airport. These plans outlined the conversion of the EWL’s Changi Airport Branch Line to the Thomson–East Coast Line (TEL). These works began in 2025 and are due for completion by 2031.
Project Scope
The Tanah Merah Rail Modification Project comprises several major elements:
New TNM Platform and Track Reconfiguration
Before modification works, the Changi Airport Branch Line operated as a shuttle service between EW4CGÂ Tanah Merah and CG2Â Changi Airport, using a single middle platform at Tanah Merah station. A new platform was thus constructed to serve eastbound EWL services.
The modification was intended to free up two middle tracks for train services to Changi Airport, hence allowing trains to arrive and depart at the station at shorter intervals.
In addition, commuter areas at Tanah Merah station were expanded, featuring a new East Concourse and two new station exits along New Upper Changi Road connected via an underpass.
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 8 December 2025, following a 9-day closure of the EWL.
Following the May 2019 announcement of the EWL Changi Airport Branch to TEL conversion, both middle platforms would be modified for TEL trains in the future.
Connection to East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID)
The Tanah Merah Modification Project included laying new reception tracks to connect the EWL to the East Coast Integrated Depot, a ‘4-in-1’ depot that will support operations for the EWL, TEL, and the DTL, co-located with a bus depot.
Construction of these viaducts was carried out under Contract T315, and multi-day closures were carried out in December 2024 and November 2025 to connect the depot with the EWL mainline. Changes in track layout over several construction phases are documented in the section below.
ECID began operations on 8 December 2025 for EWL trains, operationally replacing Changi Depot, with trains deploying and withdrawing from ECID.
One more reception track linking the ECID with the Tanah Merah-bound Changi Airport Line (future TELe tracks) has yet to be connected.
Decommissioning of Changi Depot
The ECID will replace the existing Changi Depot, which is slated for demolition.
A 4-day EWL closure is planned for 14 to 17 March 2026 to disconnect reception tracks linking the EWL to Changi Depot.
Thomson–East Coast Line Integration
The modifications at Tanah Merah station are preparatory to the TEL extension (TELe), ultimately linking the TEL to Changi Airport Terminal 5 and beyond. The station will serve as an interchange between the EWL and the extended TEL, with additional signalling and systems integration works anticipated.
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 2025 and are due for completion by 2031.
- LTA | Thomson-East Coast Line Extension and Cross Island Line: Connecting Changi Airport Directly to the City Centre and Major Hubs
- MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA | The Straits Times
Construction Phases
Pre-2024
Tanah Merah MRT station served as a transfer between the EWL main line and the Changi Airport Branch line. The Changi Airport Branch line operates as a shuttle service between EW4CGÂ Tanah Merah and CG2Â Changi Airport, using a single middle platform at Tanah Merah station.
The Airport branch first opened on 10 January 2001, initially only to Expo, with the extension to Changi Airport opening later on 8 February 2002. Initially, alternate trains from Boon Lay terminated at either Pasir Ris or Changi Airport; this arrangement was discontinued from July 2003 owing to higher ridership in favour of trains towards Pasir Ris. The Changi Airport branch thus reverted to a three-station shuttle train service.
At the same time, the EWL was served by the nearby Changi Depot since 1989, containing a maintenance facility and stabling area designed for 30 trains. Two reception tracks connect the depot to the EWL mainline.
December 2024 — Connecting ECID to EWL
Main article: 4 Day Closure on East-West Line (Tanah Merah – Tampines) for Track Works | Land Transport Guru
A 4-Day Closure of the EWL between Tanah Merah and Tampines was planned from 7–10 December 2024, to facilitate track works connecting the EWL to the upcoming East Coast Integrated Depot. Train service resumed on 10 December 2024, one day ahead of schedule.
According to LTA, a continuous multi-day maintenance window was required for the removal of about 80 metres of existing tracks, sleepers, and third rail along the existing EWL viaduct, followed by the installation of new turnout tracks that connect to the reception track leading to the ECID. This would be followed by third rail and power cables reinstallation, followed by stringent testing of the signalling, power and communications systems.
The new reception track allowed EWL trains to access ECID for the first time.
December 2025 — New TNM Platform & Viaduct modifications
Main Article: 10 Day Closure on East-West Line (Bedok – Tampines / Tanah Merah – Expo) for Integration Works | Land Transport Guru
A 10-Day Closure of the EWL between Bedok–Tampines and Tanah Merah–Expo was planned from 29 November–8 December 2024, to facilitate modification works needed to integrate the EWL with the new East Coast Integrated Depot, and to operationalise the new train platform at Tanah Merah.
Train service resumed on 8 December 2024, one day ahead of schedule.
These works spanned 4.8km in 12 locations and required an uninterrupted closure window for workers to safely install new tracks, sleepers, and the third rail on the new eastbound and westbound tracks, as well as on the reception tracks leading to the ECID. This is followed by reinstatement of power cables and stringent testing of the signalling, power and communications systems.
Given the greater extent of work compared to the previous year, a longer period of closure was needed, according to the LTA. These works include:
- Connecting two new reception tracks from EWL to the ECID
- Operationalising a new platform at the existing Tanah Merah station for eastbound trains
- Connecting new eastbound and westbound tracks to the EWL mainline, for trains travelling between Tanah Merah and Simei
- Modifying the existing track layout to isolate the Changi Airport Branch Line
- Decommissioning of a ~1 km section of the westbound viaduct from Simei to Tanah Merah
March 2026 — De-connecting Changi Depot & Viaduct modifications
Main Article: 4 Day Closure on East-West Line (Tanah Merah – Expo) for Track Works | Land Transport Guru
A 4-Day Closure of the EWL between Tanah Merah and Expo is planned for 14 –17 March 2025, to disconnect the reception tracks linking the EWL with Changi Depot.
Impact on Passengers
During the period of full-day closures, the LTA and SMRT sought to mitigate the impact on the commuting public through:
- Planning for closures during the school holidays
- Provision of Rail Replacement Services (Shuttle 7 / Shuttle 8)
- Recommending alternative routes via other MRT lines, such as the DTL
- Adding frequency to the DTL
- Deployment of marshallers across affected sectors
Construction Progress:
2020-2021: Viaduct Construction
November-December 2025
December 2025 (post-modification)
