Maintenance work will address a tunnel segment under greater pressure, says LTA.
SINGAPORE: Train services at seven stations along the Circle Line (CCL) will be adjusted in June and July due to additional maintenance work, announced the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Wednesday (May 24).
Routine inspections by LTA and public transport operators identified a “small segment” of the tunnel between Promenade and Nicoll Highway stations that was “subject to greater pressure,” said LTA.
The affected stations are Dhoby Ghaut, Bras Basah, Esplanade, Promenade, Nicoll Highway, Marina Bay, and Bayfront. The adjustments will take place over a six-week period. From June 11 to July 20, services at these stations will operate from only one platform after 9 p.m., with exceptions from June 16 to June 18, June 28 to June 29, July 1 to July 2, July 7 to July 8, and July 14 to July 16.
“This will result in longer headways, and commuters will experience additional travel times of up to 30 minutes,” LTA stated. During the period of single-platform service, shuttle train services will run between Dhoby Ghaut and Promenade (Shuttle Service A) at 15-minute intervals, and between Marina Bay to Stadium (Shuttle Service B) at 20-minute intervals.
In response to queries from CNA, LTA confirmed that the pressure issue was detected during its regular tunnel monitoring and inspection process. However, the authority emphasized that the affected tunnel segment poses no safety risk to CCL train operations.
“Nonetheless, LTA will carry out precautionary maintenance and strengthening works, including the installation of steel supports to the tunnel rings, to ensure the long-term integrity of the tunnel,” said LTA.
LTA has set up monitoring instruments in the affected tunnel segment to measure its movement levels continuously, ensuring they remain within safe limits. Extra steel plates will also be installed as an additional strengthening measure. Given that certain tunnel sections are located in reclaimed land made up of marine clay, some settlement could be expected after construction, which is why LTA closely monitors these stretches.
The pressure issue was found to be isolated to this particular CCL tunnel segment, and LTA reassured the public that all underground tunnels are regularly inspected by a team of engineering, track, and infrastructure professionals.
LTA advised commuters to plan their journeys in advance and to consider alternative rail lines or bus services to minimize inconvenience. More details can be found on LTA’s MyTransport.SG mobile app and through LTA’s and SMRT’s social media pages. Posters and station announcements will be displayed at all CCL stations and selected stations on other MRT lines that interchange with CCL, with staff deployed at the affected stations.
