Soil conditions challenge the construction of Ang Mo Kio Station and Tunnels

Singapore, 20 July 2021 – Construction works for the Cross Island Line (CRL1) Ang Mo Kio station are expected to start in the fourth quarter of this year, with passenger service slated for 2030.

CRL1 Ang Mo Kio station is an underground station located adjacent to the busy junction of Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 and Ang Mo Kio Ave 8. As it will be located close to the NSL viaduct and surrounding structures, close monitoring is required to ensure that all works are carried out safely, with minimal impact to existing structures.

Deep excavation works for CRL1 Ang Mo Kio station will be carried out under challenging ground conditions, as the rock is typically weaker at the transition point between the Old Alluvium (predominantly soil-like material) to Bukit Timah Granite formation. This requires the use of specially-designed machinery to carry out the excavation works safely.

Location of CRL Ang Mo Kio station

When completed, the station will have entrances that connect directly to different residential blocks, AMK Hub, Ang Mo Kio Integrated Transport Hub and Ang Mo Kio Town Garden East. Two of the new entrances will be connected to the station via underpasses across Ang Mo Kio Avenues 3 and 8.

To ensure smooth traffic flow on the roads, these underpasses will be constructed using a pipe-roofing and mining method, where a box structure made of pipes will support the ground while mining works are carried out beneath the surface of the road. This method minimises disturbance to the surrounding roads, buildings and underground services, as compared to the more traditional method of open cut excavation from the ground surface.

To facilitate seamless transfer and enhance connectivity for commuters at the station, A&A works will be carried out to retrofit the existing NSL Ang Mo Kio station with additional escalators and reconfiguring of its concourse area. To minimise inconvenience to commuters, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will plan and coordinate closely with SMRT to carry out majority of the A&A works during non-operating hours.

Artist Impression: CRL Ang Mo Kio station Platform

LTA awarded the civil contract for the design and construction of Ang Mo Kio station and tunnels under the first phase of the CRL1 to a joint venture between Gammon Construction and Engineering Pte Ltd and Bachy Soletanche Singapore Pte Ltd valued at S$644 million. The contract will also cover addition and alteration (A&A) works to the existing Ang Mo Kio station along the North-South Line (NSL). When completed, Ang Mo Kio station will be an interchange between CRL and NSL.

Gammon Construction and Engineering Pte Ltd was previously involved in the construction of Chinatown station along Downtown Line and is currently involved in the construction of Havelock station and Mayflower station along the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). Meanwhile, Bachy Soletanche Singapore Pte Ltd is currently involved in the design and construction of the tunnel between Suffolk Walk and Novena Rise for the North-South Corridor, as well as Tanjong Rhu, Gardens by the Bay and Orchard stations.

– Construction+ Online

Source: LTA