Telok Ayer MRT station explained

Type:Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station
Address:7 Cross Street
Singapore 048416[1] [2]
Other:Bus, Taxi
Structure:Underground
Platform:2 (2 side platforms)
Levels:1
Tracks:2
Bicycle:Yes
Passengers:12,776 per day[3]
Pass Year:June 2024
Electrified:Yes
Accessible:Yes
Operator:SBS Transit DTL Pte Ltd (ComfortDelGro Corporation)
Former:Cross Street[4]
Map Type:Singapore Rail central area
Map Dot Label:Telok Ayer
Map Alt:Singapore MRT/LRT system map
Map Size:300px

Telok Ayer MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Downtown line (DTL). Situated in Outram, Singapore, the station serves various offices and commercial developments around the junction of Cross Street and Telok Ayer Street. The station is operated by SBS Transit.

First announced as Cross Street MRT station in 2005 as part of the Circle line's Downtown extension, constructing the station required diverting the traffic on Cross Street to a temporary viaduct while building the DTL tunnels above the operational East West line tunnels. The station, which opened in 2013 along with the DTL Stage 1 stations, features an Art-in-Transit artwork Charm of Bay by Lim Shing Ee.

History

The station was first announced as Cross Street station when the Land Transport Authority (LTA) unveiled the 3.4km (02.1miles) Downtown extension (DTE) on 14 June 2005. The DTE was initially planned to be a branch of the Circle line that would extend from Milennia (now Promenade) station to Chinatown station.[5] [6] [7] In 2007, the DTE was revised to be the first stage of the 40km (30miles) Downtown Line (DTL).[8] [9] Contract 908 for the construction of Cross Street station and associated tunnels was awarded to a joint venture between Samsung Corporation and Soletanche Bachy France[10] at a contract sum of S$224.9 million (US$ million) in August 2007.[11] Through a public poll, the station was renamed to Telok Ayer in June 2009.[12] [13]

During the station's construction, a temporary viaduct was built along Cross Street. The two-lane 407m (1,335feet) bridge, which ran between Central Boulevard and China Street, was constructed to replace the closed lanes that had to make way for the station's construction.[14] [15] Work on the viaduct began on 3 February 2008 and it opened for traffic on 28 December that year.[16] [17] Three subsequent ramps to the viaduct were opened over the course from February to April 2009.[18] [19] [20]

The DTL tunnels to the station had to be constructed right above the operational East West line (EWL) tunnels. To minimise any upward movement of the EWL tunnels, cement was pumped into the soft soil to strengthen it, while structures such as hydraulic jacks and interlocking pipes were installed above the tunnels. The steel pipes for the DTL tunnels' foundation had to be cautiously positioned to avoid any damage to the EWL tunnels. To address the poor ground conditions at the site during excavation, the diaphragm walls adopted the “Trouser Legs” concept which allowed the walls to reach the harder soil at deeper depths, functioning as both as earth–retaining and foundation elements.[21]

Additionally, the LTA engaged with businesses that were affected by the construction. With the assistance of the LTA, four businesses along Telok Ayer Street had to be relocated to other premises as the construction barriers would impact their visibility and business. Before returning the shops to their owners upon the station's completion, the LTA repaired any minor damage the shops has incurred during the construction. The businesses were grateful for the LTA's assistance during the relocation. To address the noise and dust issue raised by an Indian restaurant along that street, the LTA lined the construction site with large yellow palms that enhanced the area's greenery while mitigating the noise and dust from the construction.

On 29 August 2012, then Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew visited and inspected the station site, where he announced the alignment of the Thomson line.[22] The station held an open house on 7 December 2013,[23] [24] with surrounding businesses marking the event by giving various offers to patrons.[25] Telok Ayer station commenced operations on 22 December along with the DTL Stage 1 stations.[26] [27] As part of LTA's review of the DTL station Tamil names to make them phonetically closer to the English names, Telok Ayer's Tamil name was amended in 2016.[28]

Station details

Telok Ayer station serves the DTL and is situated between the Downtown and Chinatown stations. The official station code is DT18.[29] Being part of the DTL, the station is operated by SBS Transit.[30] The station is located underneath Cross Street and Telok Ayer Street and is close to several developments including the Far East Bank Building, RHB Building, Prudential Tower and PWC Building, while serving religious and cultural sites such as Lau Pa Sat Festival Market, Nagore Dargah India Muslim Heritage Centre and the Thian Hock Keng Temple.[31] Telok Ayer station is within walking distance to Raffles Place station on the North South and East West lines.[32] It is planned to connect the station with the adjacent Chinatown station via an underground retail link.[33]

Designed by Ong&Ong, durable and easily maintained material and lighting are adopted to ensure the functionality of the station's modern design. The above-ground station structures, while contemporary in design, is intended to blend with the other shophouses in the area. The station features elliptical patterns and shapes used on various facilities, including the lifts, the supporting structures and the curved ceiling. These patterns are intended to act as wayfinding elements for commuters.[34]

Artwork

Commissioned as part of the Art-in-Transit (AiT) programme — a public art showcase which integrates artworks into the MRT network — Charm of Bay (also named Bulbous Abode) by Lim Shing Ee is displayed at the concourse level of the station.[35] [36] The artwork, which consists of the wall patterns, floor tiles and the station columns,[37] creates a "whimsical landscape" at the concourse level.[38] Each of the concourse's "bulbous" boulder-like columns, cladded in brown, resembles "primitive monuments" such as pebbles and boulders in rivers[39] to reflect the locality's role as the primary settling point of early Chinese immigrants. The boulders cast artificial shadows on the station floor (with darker coloured floor tiles) intended to "map" the commuter traffic as people passes through these rounded spaces.

The abstract patterns on the two opposing walls were inspired by former plantations in the area, along with elements of water and man-made landscapes. These patterns intend to reflect Telok Ayer's history and name, which means "Bay Water" in the Malay language. Each of the figures seem to be related or directed towards the next, as though passing down stories of the past to the next generation. The artwork figures were produced by PolyVision Ceramic Steel using screen printing on durable panels, ensuring that the artwork does not fade.[40]

The artwork project required collaboration with the station's contractors and architects and was one of Lim's (and her partner Kazunori Takeishi's) first major public projects. The work was well received by other AiT artists. Erzan Adam, the artist for the artwork at Farrer Park station, remarked that the work offered an "upbeat, quirky" interpretation of the locality's history, while Yek Wong, the artist for the artwork at one-north station, "loved" the artwork's "quirky" pop references with its "fresh colours".[41]

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Telok Ayer MRT station . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210317072927/https://www.ura.gov.sg/maps/?link=N4IgDg9gliBcoBsCGAXOBGAdAJgBzoE4B2PAZiIIAZTcCBWAGhAQDsBzDazXAFlzrqUC6OkXS4hAXyYBnAKYIAygDcAxnBABRABoAFADIB5AEqbFASQAqmkEwC2SMJoAeKOSzTwQAfRkQArigAFgDqcjKeiKgYOBJkPABsuAnYAgSJTKwcsOhcvAliQtjUpDS40j4sEABOwZpIEXBRnlhkxUL4-DzoFASZ7Jyk3HTo5BQJPJSEROUVAEYNcg5gcADaoFAAJhpzdui24EgscgBa5iybcs5wxehMEGBIqlAoAJ6clJIAuvfKctXId6wdYgLYaCAIIgHR7HM4XK5wHgEXD3R7PN4faQbbawEAQ3DQo6nc6Xa6wJF9PFol5A3KfBjY8EIAiE2EkhHk4iop40zEM0E4vEIYqs4nwsndBLc9G0yifH4geRKNSGMAoKAQFhNZj7WCUTLYOCUTDoSSSIA . 17 March 2021 . 17 March 2021 . URA Space . Urban Redevelopment Authority.
  2. Web site: Telok Ayer MRT Station (DT18) . OneMap . Singapore Land Authority . 17 March 2021.
  3. Web site: Land Transport DataMall . Datamall . . 14 August 2024 . 14 August 2024 . https://archive.ph/YCbCx . live. registration.
  4. Web site: Annex 1: Final Station Names . dead . http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/wayback/20130322163835/http://app.lta.gov.sg/data/apps/news/press/2009/2009-06-16_Annex1_StationNaming-FINAL.pdf . 22 March 2013 . LTA.
  5. News: Tor Ching Li . 15 June 2005 . Joining the hot spots . 2 . Today.
  6. Web site: 14 June 2005 . Expanding The Rail Network With Downtown Extension . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210206124204/https://www.mot.gov.sg/news-centre/news/Detail/Expanding%20The%20Rail%20Network%20With%20Downtown%20Extension/ . 6 February 2021 . 6 February 2021 . www.mot.gov.sg.
  7. News: 15 June 2005 . Circle Line extension set to liven up New Downtown and CBD . 18 . The Straits Times.
  8. Web site: Speech By Mr Raymond Lim At The LTA Workplan Seminar on 27 April 2007 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200903130606/https://www.mot.gov.sg/news-centre/news/Detail/Speech%20By%20Mr%20Raymond%20Lim%20At%20The%20LTA%20Workplan%20Seminar%20on%2027%20April%202007/ . 3 September 2020 . 11 July 2019 . www.mot.gov.sg.
  9. Web site: Govt approves S$12b MRT Downtown Line to be built by 2018 . dead . https://archive.today/20121209113025/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/272864/1/.html . 9 December 2012. Channel NewsAsia. 27 April 2007.
  10. Web site: List of contracts awarded for Downtown Line 1 . dead . http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/wayback/20151101032615/https://www.lta.gov.sg/data/apps/news/press/2008/2008-11-21_Factsheet_DTL1_Bugis.pdf . 1 November 2015 . LTA.
  11. News: 3 August 2007 . Downtown Line: Work on 1st stage to start this year . 39 . The Straits Times.
  12. Web site: 16 June 2009 . Circle Line, Downtown Line 1 and 2 Station Names Finalised . dead . https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/2016-04-25%2016:13:30.000/wp/details/http://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=2146 . 25 April 2016 . LTA.
  13. News: 17 June 2009 . Haw Par Villa, Caldecott named as Circle Line stations . Today . live . 17 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210317072901/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20090617-2.2.5.10 . 17 March 2021.
  14. Web site: 31 January 2008 . Roadworks And Diversions Along Cross Street To Minimise Impact During Construction Of Downtown Line 1 . dead . https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/2016-11-10%2018:22:15.000/wp/details/https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=1882 . 10 November 2016 . LTA.
  15. Web site: Minimising Traffic Impact During Construction Of Downtown Line 1 . dead . https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/2009-12-05%2012:52:41.000/wp/details/http://onemotoring.sg/publish/onemotoring/en/on_the_roads/road_projects/minimising_traffic_impact.html . 5 December 2009 . OneMotoring.
  16. Web site: 23 December 2008 . Opening of Temporary Vehicular Viaduct at Cross Street and Revised Traffic Flow At China Street . dead . https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/2013-02-18%2023:37:55.000/wp/details/http://app.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=2063 . 18 February 2013 . LTA.
  17. News: 27 December 2008 . New Viaduct in CBD . The Straits Times.
  18. Web site: 4 February 2009 . Opening of Second Upramp to Temporary Vehicular Viaduct at Cross Street . dead . https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/2013-02-18%2022:12:26.000/wp/details/http://app.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=2081 . 18 February 2013 . LTA.
  19. News: 6 February 2009 . New up-ramp at Cross Street . The Straits Times.
  20. Web site: Opening of Third Up-Ramp to Temporary Vehicular Viaduct at Cross Street . dead . https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/2016-11-10%2019:05:18.000/wp/details/https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=2112 . 10 November 2016 . LTA.
  21. Web site: Recognising professional engineers for exemplary engineering design and safety . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210317054922/https://www1.bca.gov.sg/docs/default-source/docs-corp-news-and-publications/media-releases/pr02062014_bca.pdf . 17 March 2021 . 17 March 2021 . Building and Construction Authority . 7.
  22. Web site: 29 August 2012 . Speech by Mr Lui Tuck Yew at the Inspection of Downtown Line 1 Station and Announcement of Thomson Line alignment on 29 August 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210317072901/https://www.mot.gov.sg/news-centre/news/Detail/Speech%20by%20Mr%20Lui%20Tuck%20Yew%20at%20the%20Inspection%20of%20Downtown%20Line%201%20Station%20and%20Announcement%20of%20Thomson%20Line%20alignment%20on%2029%20August%202012/ . 17 March 2021 . 17 March 2021 . www.mot.gov.sg.
  23. Web site: Celebrate "Music Through The Years" at Downtown Line 1 Stations this Saturday! . dead . https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/2016-04-25%2019:06:05.000/wp/details/http://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=8d3e2a09-a6d9-4e5b-b3a8-09a43b9cf2c6 . 25 April 2016 . LTA.
  24. Web site: 7 December 2013 . Downtown Line 1 Open House . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210301103704/https://www.mot.gov.sg/news-centre/highlights/detail/downtown-line-1-open-house . 1 March 2021 . 7 February 2021 . www.mot.gov.sg.
  25. Web site: Xuan . Lee Jian . 26 November 2013 . Street party at Telok Ayer to mark opening of Downtown Line . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210317062544/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/street-party-at-telok-ayer-to-mark-opening-of-downtown-line . 17 March 2021 . 17 March 2021 . The Straits Times.
  26. Web site: Sim . Royston . 21 December 2013 . Downtown Line Stage 1 officially opened by PM Lee . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210301103702/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/downtown-line-stage-1-officially-opened-by-pm-lee . 1 March 2021 . 7 February 2021 . The Straits Times.
  27. Web site: 21 December 2013 . Downtown Line Stage 1 officially opened by PM Lee . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210301103703/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/downtown-line-stage-1-officially-opened-pm-lee . 1 March 2021 . 7 February 2021 . TODAYonline.
  28. Web site: Lim . Adrian . 4 January 2016 . LTA amends Tamil names of four Downtown Line stations . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210309084156/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/lta-amends-tamil-names-of-four-downtown-line-stations . 9 March 2021 . 17 March 2021 . The Straits Times.
  29. Web site: MRT System Map . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200821064838/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/pdf/sm-20-03-en-exp.pdf . 21 August 2020 . LTA.
  30. Web site: Getting Around – Public Transport – Rail Network . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191101093543/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network.html . 1 November 2019 . 27 April 2021 . Land Transport Authority.
  31. Web site: Train Service Information . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210317053027/https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/Service/TrainInformation?TrainLine=DTL&Station=TLA . 17 March 2021 . 17 March 2021 . SBSTransit.
  32. Web site: Lim . Adrian . 12 September 2017 . Save time on MRT trips? Check new map and walk . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210317062736/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/save-time-on-mrt-trips-check-new-map-and-walk . 17 March 2021 . 17 March 2021 . The Straits Times.
  33. Web site: 21 December 2013 . News Room – News Releases – Downtown Line . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210131070042/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2013/12/2/downtown-line.html . 31 January 2021 . 8 February 2021 . LTA.
  34. Web site: 5 February 2021 . DTL – Telok Ayer Mrt – Project . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210308012652/https://www.ong-ong.com/project/dtl-telok-ayer-mrt/ . 8 March 2021 . 17 March 2021 . ong-ong.com.
  35. Web site: Getting Around Public Transport A Better Public Transport Experience Art in Transit . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200421081559/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/a_better_public_transport_experience/art_in_transit.html . 21 April 2020 . 11 July 2020 . LTA.
  36. Web site: Downtown Line 1: Art-In-Transit . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131023041931/http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltaweb/corp/PublicTransport/files/Downtown%20Line%201%20-%20AIT.pdf . 23 October 2013 . Land Transport Authority . 16 October 2013.
  37. Web site: 22 December 2013 . January Issue: Happy 2014! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210211051802/https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=dbf52feb4cdabd92fb7967698&id=5543fd533e . 11 February 2021 . 17 March 2021 . Monocircus.
  38. Web site: 15 December 2020 . Art-in-Transit . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200421081419/https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/art-in-transit . 21 April 2020 . 22 December 2020 . SBSTransit.
  39. Web site: Lim Shing Ee . Our Work at a Train Station in Singapore . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170107100306/https://monocircus.com/en/news_post/newspost_art_singapore_MRT/ . 7 January 2017 . Monocircus . 6 January 2017.
  40. Web site: 23 February 2013 . Singapore's Telok Ayer Transit Station Screen Printing Project . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210310012656/https://polyvision.com/projects/telok-ayer-station/ . 10 March 2021 . 17 March 2021 . PolyVision.
  41. Web site: Ting . Lisabel . 6 December 2013 . View works on the fast track . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210206131857/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/view-works-on-the-fast-track . 6 February 2021 . 31 January 2021 . The Straits Times.

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