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Outram Park MRT station

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Outram Park MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station in Singapore. The station is on the East–West, North East and Thomson–East Coast lines, and is located near the junction of Outram Road, Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road on the boundary of Bukit Merah and Outram planning areas. It is the closest MRT station to Singapore General Hospital, the Police Cantonment Complex, Outram Community Hospital and the Health Promotion Board. The station was included in the early plans of the MRT network in 1982; it was constructed as part of the Phase I MRT segment from Novena, and was completed in December 1987.

 EW16  NE3  TE17 
Outram Park
欧南园
ஊட்ரம் பார்க்
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange
Exit 6 of Outram Park MRT station. This exit leads to Singapore General Hospital.
Exit 6 of Outram Park MRT station
General information
Location10 Outram Road
Singapore 169037 (EWL)
300 Eu Tong Sen Street
Singapore 059816 (NEL)
13 Outram Road
Singapore 169080 (TEL)
Coordinates01°16′50″N 103°50′24″E / 1.28056°N 103.84000°E / 1.28056; 103.84000
Owned byLand Transport Authority
Operated bySMRT Trains Ltd (SMRT Corporation) (East West & Thomson–East Coast lines)
SBS Transit Ltd (ComfortDelGro Corporation) (North East line)
Line(s)
  East–West Line
  North East Line
  Thomson–East Coast Line
Platforms6 (3 island platforms)
Tracks6
ConnectionsBus, Taxi
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Platform levels2
ParkingYes (Singapore General Hospital)
AccessibleYes
History
Opened12 December 1987; 36 years ago (1987-12-12) (East West line)
20 June 2003; 20 years ago (2003-06-20) (North East line)
13 November 2022; 17 months ago (2022-11-13) (Thomson–East Coast line)
ElectrifiedYes
Services
Preceding station Mass Rapid Transit Following station
Tanjong Pagar
towards Pasir Ris
 East–West Line Tiong Bahru
towards Tuas Link
HarbourFront
Terminus
 North East Line Chinatown
towards Punggol
Havelock
towards Woodlands North
 Thomson–East Coast Line Maxwell
towards Gardens by the Bay
Location
Singapore MRT/LRT system map
Singapore MRT/LRT system map
Outram Park
Outram Park station in Singapore

Before the line was planned to be extended to the World Trade Center, the station was originally the terminus of the North-East line. When the Thomson–East Coast Line opened on 13 November 2022, Outram Park station became a triple-line interchange.

History edit

Construction and East–West Line edit

 
EWL platforms

Outram Park station was included in early plans of the MRT network in May 1982.[1] It was to be constructed as part of the Phase I MRT segment from Novena station, due to be completed by December 1987;[2][3] The segment was given priority because it transits areas with a higher demand for public transport, such as the densely populated housing estates of Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio, and the Central Area. The line was intended to relieve traffic congestion on the Thomson–Sembawang Road corridor.[4][5]

The contract for the construction of Outram Park station and 4 km (2.5 mi) of tunnels between the Tiong Bahru and Maxwell (now Tanjong Pagar) stations was awarded to a Japanese joint venture Ohbayashi-Gumi/Okumura Corporation in November 1983 at a cost of S$73.85 million (US$95 million in 2020).[6][7]

During the station's construction, Outram Primary School was relocated.[8] The tunnel from Outram Park to Tiong Bahru was expected to be completed in September 1984.[9]

Train services commenced on 12 December 1987, when the line extension to the station was officially completed. The station was part of a line service that continuously ran from Yishun station in the north to Lakeside station in the west.[10][11] From 28 October 1989, Outram Park station began to serve the East–West Line (EWL) with the operational split of the MRT system.[12][a]

North East line edit

 
NEL platforms

Preliminary studies for the North East Line (NEL) in 1986 included plans to terminate that line at Outram Park station rather than HarbourFront station.[14] By 1995 the planned line had been extended to include an additional new stop, the World Trade Centre MRT station (now called HarbourFront).[15][16] In March 1996, communications minister Mah Bow Tan confirmed the station would interchange with the NEL.[17][18]

The site of the NEL station was the site of a prison complex demolised to make way for Housing and Development Board (HDB) developments.[19] To construct the station, the contractor had to design and execute a major traffic diversion at the cross-junction of Eu Tong Sen Street, Outram Road, Cantonment Road and New Bridge Road, with construction taking place as close as 10 metres away from EWL tunnels.[20] Contract 710 for the construction of Outram Park NEL platform and associated tunnels was awarded to Shimizu-Dillingham-Koh Brothers Joint Venture[21]

In order to link both the NEL and EWL stations, a passageway opening up under the EWL platform was built. Construction of the passageway lasted from March 2001 to December 2001. Shimizu-Dillingham-Koh Brothers Joint Venture had to "hack away the platforms to create openings in the [linkway] structure". A steel structure was also used to construct the linkway. To facilitate the construction of the NEL station, nine stages of traffic diversion was carried out. To handle the varying soil conditions along the route of the NEL tunnels, a dual-mode tunnel-boring machine was used to construct them, a first in Singapore.[22]

In September 2000, construction of lift access in the station began. EWL station upgrades were completed on 12 October 2002.[23] On 14 August 2017, two meeting points designated for assistance from commuters called Heart Zones were designated near the EWL and NEL exits as part of a trial to better assist the elderly, frail and disabled commuters.[24]

Thomson–East Coast Line edit

 
TEL platforms

On 29 August 2012, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced Outram Park station would interchange with the proposed Thomson Line.[25] At the same time, the Singapore Land Authority announced the acquisition of Pearls Centre, a residential-commercial building, giving residents three years to vacate the premises to facilitate tunneling works under the complex.[26]

On 15 August 2014, the LTA announced the Thomson Line would be integrated into the Thomson–East Coast Line (TEL). The TEL platform at Outram Park would be constructed as part of Phase 3, a section of the TEL consisting of 13 stations between Mount Pleasant and Gardens by the Bay.[27] On 9 March 2022, Transport Minister S Iswaran announced in Parliament Phase 3 (Caldecott to Gardens by the Bay via Napier) would open in the second half of 2022. Following the opening of the Thomson–East Coast Line on 13 November 2022, Outram Park station became a triple-line interchange, joining Marina Bay and Dhoby Ghaut stations.[28]

Contract T222 for the construction of Outram Park TEL platform and associated tunnels was awarded to Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd at a cost of S$301 million in May 2014. Construction was expected to start in 2014 with completion expected in 2021.[29] To facilitate the construction of the TEL station, a temporary pedestrian overhead bridge had to be removed and a road had to be diverted. The TEL train tunnels were built near existing EWL tunnels; they were tested and monitored for structural integrity during construction. In tandem with the TEL station's opening, a new underpass was opened to allow commuters to cross Outram Road.[30]

On 7 October 2022, during a visit by Transport Minister S. Iswaran to Outram Park and Maxwell stations, it was announced the TEL platform would began operations on 13 November that year.[31][32]

Incidents edit

On 6 March 2008 in the NEL section of the station, a police officer shot a man who had threatened him with a knife. The man had already stabbed a person to death at a coffee shop in Jalan Kukoh.[33] A coroner's inquiry into the man's death ruled the shooting as a case of justifiable homicide and a district judge ruled the shooting as with no criminal intent.[34]

Details edit

Location edit

Outram Park MRT station is located near the junction of Outram Road, Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road on the boundary of Bukit Merah and Outram planning areas.[35] The station serves several health facilities, such as Singapore General Hospital, the National Cancer Centre,[36] the Health Sciences Authority, National Dental Center, Outram Community Hospital and the Health Promotion Board.[37][38]

Services edit

Outram Park station is an interchange station on the EWL, the NEL and the TEL. Its code is EW16/NE3/TE17.[39][40] On the EWL, the station is located between Tanjong Pagar and Tiong Bahru stations.[41] As of June 2023, EWL trains operate in both directions every 2–5 minutes from approximately 6:00 a.m. (6:25 a.m. on Sundays and public holidays) to 12:00 a.m.[42] On the NEL, the station is located between HarbourFront and Chinatown stations.[41] As of June 2023, NEL trains operate in both directions every 2–5 minutes from approximately 6:10 a.m. for services fo HarbourFront, 6:00 am for services towards Punggol (6:30 am on Sundays and public holidays for both directions) to 12:00 a.m.[42] On the TEL, the station is located between Havelock and Maxwell stations,[41] with headways of 5–6 minutes[43] from approximately 6:00 a.m. (6:25 a.m. on Sundays and public holidays) to 12:00 a.m. towards Gardens by the Bay. Services towards Woodlands North start and end approximately 10 minutes later while services towards Caldecott and Orchard end at 12:10 and 12:20 a.m., respectively.[42]

Artworks edit

 
Memories, one of the three artworks found in this station

Public artworks at Outram Park station includes Memories by Wang Lu Sheng, which uses bold colours inspired by the area's cultural heritage, especially Chinese culture. One of the pieces depicts Chinese opera and law or medicine, and represents visual memories of the surrounding area.[44][45] Commuters by Teo Eng Seng consists of 69 engravings[45] of surreal human forms that represent commuters' states of mind.[44][46]

Notes and references edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ The MRT system was split into East West line running from Tanah Merah station to Lakeside, and the NSL running from Yishun station to Marina Bay.[13]

References edit

  1. ^ "Proposed MRT stations". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. 23 May 1982. p. 1. Retrieved 12 December 2020 – via NewspaperSG.
  2. ^ "Project to go on line in three stages". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. 8 July 1986. p. 8. Retrieved 19 December 2020 – via NewspaperSG.
  3. ^ "MRT system to be implemented in eight stages". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. 9 April 1987. p. 30. Retrieved 19 December 2020 – via NewspaperSG.
  4. ^ Annual report. Singapore: Provisional Mass Rapid Transit Authority. 1983. p. 5.
  5. ^ Dhaliwal, Rav (29 August 1982). "North-south line off first". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. p. 1. Retrieved 19 December 2020 – via NewspaperSG.
  6. ^ Miswardi, Jalil (5 November 1983). "Sixth MRT contract to Japanese firms". Singapore Monitor. p. 5. Retrieved 19 February 2022 – via NewspaperSG.
  7. ^ Dhaliwal, Rav (4 November 1983). "Work on Outram MRT station begins in 2 months". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. p. 40. Retrieved 19 February 2022 – via NewspaperSG.
  8. ^ "Outram Primary to move to new promises next month". Singapore Monitor. 6 November 1984. p. 2. Retrieved 19 February 2022 – via NewspaperSG.
  9. ^ "Tiong Bahru-Outram tunnel may be completed in five months". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. 14 May 1984. Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  10. ^ "20 stations by next year". The Straits Times. 6 November 1987. Retrieved 10 September 2020 – via NewspaperSG.
  11. ^ Dhaliwal, Rav (12 December 1987). "Shopping for Xmas the MRT way..." The Straits Times. Retrieved 19 September 2017 – via NewspaperSG.
  12. ^ "MRT transfers will begin this Saturday". The Straits Times. 24 October 1989. p. 3. Retrieved 13 September 2021 – via NewspaperSG.
  13. ^ "Easy MRT train transfers – with colour code guide". The Straits Times. 20 September 1989. Retrieved 21 September 2021 – via NewspaperSG.
  14. ^ "Study on future north-east line". Business Times. Singapore Press Holdings. 26 September 1984. Retrieved 22 August 2021 – via NewspaperSG.
  15. ^ Leong, Chan Teik (15 July 1995). "North-east MRT line to cost up to $5b". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. p. 2.
  16. ^ Dhaliwal, Rav (30 March 1986). "Serangoon and Hougang May Be Next on MRT Line". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. p. 10. Retrieved 22 August 2021 – via NewspaperSG.
  17. ^ Leong, Chan Teik (5 March 1996). "16 MRT stations for 20-km North-East line". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. p. 1.
  18. ^ Leong, Chan Teik (20 January 1996). "Immediate Start for north-east line". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. p. 1. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  19. ^ Leong 2003, p. 47.
  20. ^ Leong 2003, p. 10.
  21. ^ Leong 2003, p. 55.
  22. ^ Leong 2003, p. 51.
  23. ^ Goh, Ernest (24 December 2002). "More MRT stops ready for disabled". The Straits Times.
  24. ^ Ang, Ildyko (15 August 2017). "Elderly, disabled commuters get helping hand at Outram MRT". TODAY. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  25. ^ Sim, Royston (29 August 2012). "New Thomson MRT line to open from 2019, and have 22 stations". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  26. ^ Sim, Royston (30 August 2012). "Pearls Centre tenants surprised by acquisition for new Thomson Line". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Joint News Release by the Land Transport Authority & Singapore Land Authority - Thomson-East Coast Line: New MRT Links in the East". 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  28. ^ Yeoh, Grace (7 October 2022). "11 Thomson-East Coast Line stations to open on Nov 13; free rides available on Nov 11". CNA. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  29. ^ "LTA Awards Four Contracts for Thomson Line's Orchard Boulevard, Great World, Outram Park and Shenton Way Stations". 13 February 2020. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  30. ^ Yong, Clement (25 October 2022). "From tunnelling 1.8m under a live MRT line to diverting a canal: LTA sets out TEL3 engineering challenges". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  31. ^ Yong, Clement (7 October 2022). "11 new TEL stations, from Stevens to Gardens by the Bay, to open on Nov 13; free rides on Nov 11". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  32. ^ "Factsheet: Thomson – East Coast Line Stage 3 to Open for Passenger Service from 13 November 2022". LTA. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  33. ^ Tan, Valerie (6 March 2008). "43-year-old man shot by police at Outram Park MRT". Channel News Asia. Archived from the original on 7 March 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  34. ^ Kaixin, Liang (12 January 2010). ""Justifiable Homicide" ruling for policeman who shot knife-wielding man". Channel News Asia. Archived from the original on 15 January 2010. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  35. ^ "URA 2014 Master Plan". Urban Redevelopment Authority. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  36. ^ Teo, Joyce (18 May 2023). "New National Cancer Centre building officially opens with double the capacity of previous premises". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  37. ^ "Outram Park (MRT Station) - 10 Outram Road (S)169037". www.streetdirectory.com. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  38. ^ Leong 2003, p. 48.
  39. ^ "Outram Park (MRT Station) - 10 Outram Road (S)169037". www.streetdirectory.com. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  40. ^ "LTA | Upcoming Projects | Rail Expansion | Thomson-East Coast Line". 13 February 2020. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  41. ^ a b c "MRT System Map" (PDF). Land Transport Authority. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  42. ^ a b c "LTA | MRT/LRT". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  43. ^ Kok, Yufeng (7 November 2022). "Opening of Thomson–East Coast Line Stage 3 to cut off-peak train intervals to 6 minutes". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. Archived from the original on 13 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  44. ^ a b "LTA | Art in Transit". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 13 November 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  45. ^ a b "Adventures at home: Rediscovering art in NEL MRT stations". AsiaOne. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  46. ^ "Art in Transit | North East Line Tour | Art Outreach S'pore". Plural Art Magazine. 24 May 2023. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.

Bibliography edit

  • Leong, Chan Teik (2003). Getting There: The Story of the North East Line. Singapore: Land Transport Authority. ISBN 981-04-5886-X. OCLC 53383062.

Further reading edit

External links edit

 
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