Woodlands North MRT station
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) terminus Future Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) station | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Location | 20 Woodlands North Coast Road Singapore 737668 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 1°26′54″N 103°47′06″E / 1.4482°N 103.7851°E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Owned by | Land Transport Authority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operated by | SMRT Trains Ltd (SMRT Corporation) (Thomson–East Coast line) RTS Operations Pte Ltd (Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Line(s) | Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Platforms | 2 (1 island platform) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tracks | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Structure type | Underground | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Platform levels | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parking | Yes (Republic Polytechnic) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accessible | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
History | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Opened | 31 January 2020 | (Thomson–East Coast line)|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Opening | End 2026 (Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrified | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Previous names | Republic Crescent, Admiralty Park[2][3] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Woodlands North MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit station in Woodlands, Singapore, located near Republic Polytechnic.[4] The station is the northern terminus of the Thomson–East Coast line (TEL). It is located in a developing region in Woodlands North at Woodlands North Coast Road, off Admiralty Road West as part of the North Coast Innovation Corridor project that is planned for the future.
Plans were made for the northern terminus of the TEL to be linked with the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS in 2011. Finally announced in 2012, the station is one of the first three TEL stations to be opened on 31 January 2020. The station is also projected to be the Singapore terminus of the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS by 2026.
History
On 29 August 2012, this station was announced as part of the finalised plans for the then Thomson line by then Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew.[5][6] Before the station was built, the working names were 'Woodlands North', 'Republic Polytechnic' and 'Admiralty Park'. On 27 June 2014, Woodlands North was officially chosen following a public poll in May 2013.[3]
On 15 August 2014, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that Woodlands North station would be part of the proposed Thomson–East Coast MRT line (TEL). The station will be constructed as part of Phase 1, consisting of 3 stations between Woodlands North and Woodlands South, and is expected to be completed in 2019.[7][8]
Contract T202 for the design and construction of Woodlands North Station and associated tunnels was awarded to Penta-Ocean Construction Co Ltd at a sum of S$337 million in November 2013. Construction started in 2014, and was completed in 2020.[9] The station officially opened on 31 January 2020 as part of Stage 1 of the TEL.[10][11]
RTS Link
In June 2011, it was announced that the northern terminus of the TEL will be connected to the proposed cross border rail link.[12][13] On 16 January 2018, a bilateral agreement on the project was signed between Malaysia and Singapore, during the 8th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat. The agreement finalised certain aspects of the project, including its maintenance facilities, operator, and customs facilities.[14]
However, the project had to be postponed on 21 May 2019 due to financial implications on Malaysia's side.[15] On 31 October that year, Malaysia agreed to resume the RTS project at a lower cost although the project is still suspended until 30 April 2020.[16][17] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was agreed that the project be suspended further until 31 July 2020.[18] The project officially resumed on 30 July 2020 with a new completion target by end 2026.[1]
The contract for the construction of the RTS Link Woodlands North station and associated tunnels was awarded to Penta-Ocean Construction Co Ltd at a contract value of S$932.8 million (US$683.8 million). The contract includes the construction of Singapore's Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) building. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021, with expected completion by the end of 2026.[19][20] On 22 January 2021, construction of the Singaporean side of the RTS link began with a groundbreaking ceremony near the station.[21] On 29 January 2021, China Communications Construction Company Limited (Singapore branch) was awarded the second contract to construct tunnels and viaducts at a value of S$180 million (US$135.24 million).[22]
Station details
Design
The station's interior has a red and white scheme, inspired by the Singapore national flag, to welcome visitors coming from Malaysia. The station also features aluminium ceiling panels above the platforms which mimic the movements of the daily flux of commuters.[23] The station has a much larger size compared to other MRT stations, as the station was set to accommodate the peak-hour traffic for travellers between Singapore and Johor Bahru.[24] There are two exits from the station.[25]
The RTS station is to be built underground at a maximum depth of 28 metres (92 ft).[21] The station will have three levels, including an underground linkway to the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) building. The station size, including the CIQ building, will be 10 times the typical size of an MRT station. The RTS station and the CIQ building, built next to the TEL station, will be integrated with the station via an underground concourse.[21]
Artwork
As part of the Art-in-Transit, the artwork displayed here is "New Departures" by Amanda Heng, which explores borders and boundaries from a personal, rather than physical perspective. It was created to encourage commuters to take on their daily life with "courage and positivity."[26] The artwork draws on the role of this station being the future interchange of the cross-border RTS link between Singapore and Johor Bahru.[27]
References
- ^ a b "Singapore, Malaysia hold ceremony at Causeway to mark resumption of RTS Link project". CNA. 30 July 2020. Archived from the original on 31 July 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ "LTA | News Room | News Releases | Public Poll for Thomson Line Station Names". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- ^ a b "LTA | News Room | News Releases | Thomson Line Station Names Finalised". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 6 January 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- ^ "TSL System Map & Station Footprints (Woodlands North station)". 29 August 2012. Archived from the original on 6 January 2020.
- ^ "Speech by Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Transport, at the Inspection of Downtown Line 1 Station and Announcement of Thomson Line alignment, 29 August 2012, 10.00am at Telok Ayer Station". Ministry of Transport. Ministry of Transport. 29 August 2012. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ "From Woodlands to Marina in 55 minutes". Today. 30 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ "Joint News Release by the Land Transport Authority & Singapore Land Authority - Thomson-East Coast Line: New MRT Links in the East | Press Room | Land Transport Authority". www.lta.gov.sg. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ "LTA | Upcoming Projects | Rail Expansion | Thomson-East Coast Line". 13 February 2020. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ "LTA Awards Four Contracts for Thomson Line". www.lta.gov.sg. 18 October 2013. Archived from the original on 7 January 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ "Public Preview of Thomson-East Coast Line 1 Stations on 11 January (TEL1 will officially open for passenger service on 31 January 2020)". www.lta.gov.sg. 11 December 2019. Archived from the original on 6 January 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
- ^ Wong, Kai Yi (31 January 2020). "3 stations on Thomson-East Coast Line begin operations". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- ^ "Thomson Line Depot To Be Constructed In Mandai | Press Room | Land Transport Authority". Land Transport Authority (LTA). Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
- ^ "LTA | Upcoming Projects | Rail Expansion | JB-Singapore Rapid Transit Link". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "Singapore, Malaysia sign bilateral agreement on JB-Singapore Rapid Transit System". Channel NewsAsia. 16 January 2018. Archived from the original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ Yusof, Amir (21 May 2019). "Singapore agrees to suspend construction of RTS Link at Malaysia's request". CNA. Archived from the original on 6 January 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
- ^ "Malaysia continues RTS project with a new cost of RM3.16b". The Edge Markets. 31 October 2019. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
- ^ "JB-Singapore RTS Link to go ahead but further suspended to April 2020: Khaw". CNA. 4 November 2019. Archived from the original on 7 January 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ "JB-Singapore RTS Link project suspended for another 3 months until Jul 31 amid COVID-19 outbreak". CNA. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "News Room - LTA Awards Civil Contract to Construct Johor Bahru - Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link". LTA. 26 November 2020. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ Lam, Fiona (26 November 2020). "LTA awards S$932.8m contract to build Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link". The Business Times. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ a b c "News Room - News Releases - Factsheet: Groundbreaking Ceremony for Johor Bahru – Singapore Rapid Transit System Link". www.lta.gov.sg. 22 January 2021. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ "LTA Awards Second Civil Contract to Construct Johor Bahru – Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link". Land Transport Authority. 29 January 2021. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ "LTA | Getting Around | Public Transport | Rail Network | Thomson-East Coast Line". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ Yuen-C, Tham (11 January 2020). "3 stations on Thomson-East Coast Line open, including one to be connected to Singapore-Malaysia RTS Link". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "Public to get sneak peek of 3 new Thomson-East Coast Line stations". TODAY. 9 January 2020. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
- ^ "LTA | News Room | news-releases | Factsheet: Thomson-East Coast Line". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ^ "A journey with art on TEL | SharedHere". sharedhere.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
External links
- Media related to Woodlands North MRT Station at Wikimedia Commons