DTL2 Trackwork - Final Phase

Trackworks along the Downtown Line 2 are at it's final stage along the final uncompleted sector between Beauty World and Botanic Gardens. As of now, the Expo Bound track has been laid up to the cripple siding at Tan Kah Kee. Being the last tunnel to finish excavation, trackworks have only just entered the BP bound tunnel between KAP and TKK after having completed the FSC. A recap of the final tunnel breakthrough can be found here. 

The laying of tracks are expected to complete by year end, while the second stage concrete and system wide contract (SWC) works possibly drag on into early 2015. While these works are being carried out, the client plans to create a control point at Little India for the operator to begin testing of the line from the existing operational Stage 1 to Botanic Gardens in an effort to minimize time loss to the project. This update show the progress of the BP track. The expo track was earlier updated at Sixth Avenue.

Sixth Avenue

Sixth Avenue and King Albert Park are currently trailing behind in progress with casting works still going on beneath the surface. Superstructure of the entrances and vent shafts will not appear until a further 4-6 months. As the Expo bound tunnel was competed first, the tunnel has achieved BSC with the first stage concrete, allowing for trackworks to proceed from KAP to Sixth Avenue and ultimately reach Botanic Gardens.

Track laying into the Expo Bound tunnel between SAV and TKK C&C

A render of how the Sixth Avenue station entrance will look like with connecting Pedestrian Overhead Bridge.

Sixth Avenue station

Day 14, Gali Batu Depot

Having achieved temporary occupancy permit, a pair of new rolling stock would progressively be delivered to the Gali Batu Depot every 1-2 months, sufficient to fulfill the required fleet needed to effectively operate Stage 2 of the line in 2 years. Alstom has begun to demobilize and dismantle the Gantry Cranes at the depot as track laying within the site completes.

A subsequent upgrade within the depot would see a new stabling yard constructed at the south side where the current staging area is, adding a capacity of 39 trains while a new bus depot is to be built on its roof. The new project is targeted to be completed by 2019.

12th and 13th DTL train delivered to the depot earlier this month

Future stabling yard to be located at this site

Dismantling of Gantry Crane

Next Station, Botanic Gardens

A preview to the final and deepest interchange along DTL2.

Satellite image of BTN on Apr 24

DTL Concourse - Platform Twin Escalators

Track Updates

Track laying within Newton station

Beauty World road realignment

As mentioned previously, Upper Bukit Timah Road was due to be realigned on January 26th at the Beauty World station site. This has since been accomplished and works are currently underway for the Alstom temporary staging area (TSA) to proceed with trackworks. An access shaft now stands where the launch shaft for the lowering of TBMs and materials for tunnel construction towards King Albert Park station was located prior to the diversion of Upper Bukit Timah Road in 2013.

02 February 2014

JJK to reopen, Alstom to proceed

Tomorrow would see the the re-opening of Jalan Jurong Kechil, 13 months after having been closed while main contractor McConnell Dowell facilitated subway works beneath the original junction. This subway will link to the future entrance outside BTFC.

With the road realigned back, there will not be obstructions between the TSA holding site and the launch shaft. Movement of trackwork materials would be at ease. We expect trackworks to begin at Beauty World from Q2 onwards.

Track Updates

With great success from the tunnelling chart, here's a second diagram made to illustrate the progress of tracklaying along the line. As of now Alstom has already laid tracks past Cashew and Newton stations.

Beauty World update

Beauty World station was the first site to break ground along the entire stretch of Downtown Line 2 (DTL2). Currently, works are going on at the cut & cover section north of the station to back-fill the soil on top of the completed tunnel. Tunnels from the C915 section have already connected to this end of the station and the first stage concreting done to pave the way from Alstom to begin track works.

Track laying at Newton

Alstom is in charge of track works for stage 1 and stage 2 of the Downtown Line. They have completed their work on stage 1 and are now progressing on stage 2 at various locations. Temporary Staging Areas (TSAs) are located at Gali Batu, Little India and Beauty World. These are locations from which operations to supply tracks and sleepers will take place. Access to the tunnels through openings are available here. We stumbled upon several photos from Newton station showing track works that we'd like to share with you.

12 October 2013 - Expo bound trainway
Photo credit - Khor Eng Leong

15 October 2013 - Bukit Panjang bound trainway
Photo credit - Khor Eng Leong

15 October 2013 - Newton platform on Expo bound side
Photo credit - Khor Eng Leong

15 October 2013
Photo credit - Khor Eng Leong

15 October 2013
Photo credit - Khor Eng Leong

15 October 2013
Photo credit - Khor Eng Leong

25 October 2013 - Bukit Panjang bound trainway
Photo credit - Khor Eng Leong

25 October 2013
Photo credit - Khor Eng Leong