“World’s first ‘four-in-one’ transport depot at Singapore’s East Coast nears completion, to open in 2026. … The new East Coast Integrated Depot will feature three train depots stacked on top of each other alongside one bus depot, all within a single site. It will be able to hold up to 220 trains and over 500 buses.
The cost of construction is estimated to be 40 per cent less than if the three MRT depots and bus depot were built separately”, LTA added.
Construction began in 2016, with completion initially scheduled for 2024. However, in 2022, the timeline was adjusted to 2025 due to delays caused by the pandemic. The completion date was subsequently revised again to 2026.
To facilitate the connection of tracks between the East-West Line and integrated depot, train services between Tanah Merah and Tampines MRT stations will be suspended from Dec 7 to Dec 10.
During the excavation phase, more than 1,000 piles were found on the site, which used to house a sewage treatment plant. Piles are columns driven into the ground to support structures and transfer their load to more solid soil or rock.
“These figures underscore the immense scale and engineering feats involved in creating such a massive and critical infrastructure project for Singapore’s public transport system,” said LTA.
The depot, which is located along Upper Changi Road East, will feature 8,831 vented panels on its facade that will optimise natural ventilation and lighting. This will minimise the need for mechanical cooling systems in the depot.
At the bus depot, sound-absorbing fibreboard panels will be installed on the columns that help reduce noise during operations. On the sustainability front, 7,750 solar panels will be installed on the roof of the bus and rail depots. This is estimated to slash the depot’s carbon footprint by 3,900 tons of carbon dioxide a year.
