Wikipedia

Telok Ayer MRT station

Not to be confused with Telok Blangah MRT station.

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.

 DT18 
Telok Ayer
直落亚逸
தெலுக் ஆயர்
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station
Exit A of Telok Ayer MRT station.
General information
Location7 Cross Street
Singapore 048416[1][2]
Coordinates1°16′56″N 103°50′54″E / 1.282125°N 103.848472°E / 1.282125; 103.848472
Operated bySBS Transit DTL Pte Ltd (ComfortDelGro Corporation)
Line(s)
  Downtown Line
Platforms2 (2 side platforms)
Tracks2
Connections EW14  NS26  Raffles Place
Bus, Taxi
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Platform levels1
Bicycle facilitiesYes
AccessibleYes
History
Opened22 December 2013; 10 years ago (2013-12-22)
ElectrifiedYes
Previous namesCross Street[3]
Passengers
June 202412,776 per day[4]
Services
Preceding station Mass Rapid Transit Following station
Downtown
towards Bukit Panjang
 Downtown Line Chinatown
towards Expo
Location
Singapore MRT/LRT system map
Singapore MRT/LRT system map
Telok Ayer
Telok Ayer station in Singapore

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

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The original Downtown Extension (DTE) from Promenade to Chinatown
 
The temporary viaduct built during the station's construction in December 2010

The station was first announced as Cross Street station when the Land Transport Authority (LTA) unveiled the 3.4-kilometre (2.1-mile) 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 40-kilometre (25-mile) 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$151.47 million) in August 2007.[11] Through a public poll, the station was renamed to Telok Ayer in June 2009.[3][12][13]

During the station's construction, a temporary viaduct was built along Cross Street.[11] The two-lane 407-metre (1,335 ft) 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][16] Work on the viaduct began on 3 February 2008[14] and it opened for traffic on 28 December that year.[17][18] Three subsequent ramps to the viaduct were opened over the course from February to April 2009.[19][20][21]

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.[22] 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.[23]

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.[24] 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.[25]

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.[26] The station held an open house on 7 December 2013,[27][28] with surrounding businesses marking the event by giving various offers to patrons.[29] Telok Ayer station commenced operations on 22 December along with the DTL Stage 1 stations.[30][31] 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.[32]

Station details

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Platform B of the station, with Come Visit Nexus advertisement in 2021

Telok Ayer station serves the DTL and is situated between the Downtown and Chinatown stations. The official station code is DT18.[33] Being part of the DTL, the station is operated by SBS Transit.[34] The station is located underneath Cross Street and Telok Ayer Street[2] 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.[35] Telok Ayer station is within walking distance to Raffles Place station on the North South and East West lines.[36] It is planned to connect the station with the adjacent Chinatown station via an underground retail link.[37]

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.[38]

Artwork

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The station concourse level featuring the 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.[39][40] The artwork, which consists of the wall patterns, floor tiles and the station columns,[41] creates a "whimsical landscape" at the concourse level.[40][42] Each of the concourse's "bulbous" boulder-like columns, cladded in brown, resembles "primitive monuments" such as pebbles and boulders in rivers[43] to reflect the locality's role as the primary settling point of early Chinese immigrants.[37][42] The boulders cast artificial shadows on the station floor (with darker coloured floor tiles)[43] intended to "map" the commuter traffic as people passes through these rounded spaces.[41]

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.[43] These patterns intend to reflect Telok Ayer's history and name, which means "Bay Water" in the Malay language.[42] 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.[37] The artwork figures were produced by PolyVision Ceramic Steel using screen printing on durable panels, ensuring that the artwork does not fade.[43][44]

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.[43][41] 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".[45]

References

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  1. ^ "Telok Ayer MRT station". URA Space. Urban Redevelopment Authority. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Telok Ayer MRT Station (DT18)". OneMap. Singapore Land Authority. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Annex 1: Final Station Names" (PDF). LTA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 March 2013.
  4. ^ "Land Transport DataMall". Datamall. Land Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  5. ^ Tor Ching Li (15 June 2005). "Joining the hot spots". Today. p. 2.
  6. ^ "Expanding The Rail Network With Downtown Extension". www.mot.gov.sg. 14 June 2005. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Circle Line extension set to liven up New Downtown and CBD". The Straits Times. 15 June 2005. p. 18.
  8. ^ "Speech By Mr Raymond Lim At The LTA Workplan Seminar on 27 April 2007". www.mot.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 3 September 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  9. ^ "Govt approves S$12b MRT Downtown Line to be built by 2018". Channel NewsAsia. 27 April 2007. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012.
  10. ^ "List of contracts awarded for Downtown Line 1" (PDF). LTA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 November 2015.
  11. ^ a b "Downtown Line: Work on 1st stage to start this year". The Straits Times. 3 August 2007. p. 39.
  12. ^ "Circle Line, Downtown Line 1 and 2 Station Names Finalised". LTA. 16 June 2009. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016.
  13. ^ "Haw Par Villa, Caldecott named as Circle Line stations". Today. 17 June 2009. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Roadworks And Diversions Along Cross Street To Minimise Impact During Construction Of Downtown Line 1". LTA. 31 January 2008. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016.
  15. ^ "Minimising Traffic Impact During Construction Of Downtown Line 1". OneMotoring. Archived from the original on 5 December 2009.
  16. ^ Feng 2017, p. 54.
  17. ^ "Opening of Temporary Vehicular Viaduct at Cross Street and Revised Traffic Flow At China Street". LTA. 23 December 2008. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013.
  18. ^ "New Viaduct in CBD". The Straits Times. 27 December 2008.
  19. ^ "Opening of Second Upramp to Temporary Vehicular Viaduct at Cross Street". LTA. 4 February 2009. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013.
  20. ^ "New up-ramp at Cross Street". The Straits Times. 6 February 2009.
  21. ^ "Opening of Third Up-Ramp to Temporary Vehicular Viaduct at Cross Street". LTA. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016.
  22. ^ Feng 2017, p. 57.
  23. ^ "Recognising professional engineers for exemplary engineering design and safety" (PDF). Building and Construction Authority. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  24. ^ Feng 2017, pp. 84–85.
  25. ^ Feng 2017, p. 85.
  26. ^ "Speech by Mr Lui Tuck Yew at the Inspection of Downtown Line 1 Station and Announcement of Thomson Line alignment on 29 August 2012". www.mot.gov.sg. 29 August 2012. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  27. ^ "Celebrate "Music Through The Years" at Downtown Line 1 Stations this Saturday!". LTA. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016.
  28. ^ "Downtown Line 1 Open House". www.mot.gov.sg. 7 December 2013. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  29. ^ Xuan, Lee Jian (26 November 2013). "Street party at Telok Ayer to mark opening of Downtown Line". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  30. ^ Sim, Royston (21 December 2013). "Downtown Line Stage 1 officially opened by PM Lee". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  31. ^ "Downtown Line Stage 1 officially opened by PM Lee". TODAYonline. 21 December 2013. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  32. ^ Lim, Adrian (4 January 2016). "LTA amends Tamil names of four Downtown Line stations". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  33. ^ "MRT System Map" (PDF). LTA. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 August 2020.
  34. ^ "Getting Around – Public Transport – Rail Network". Land Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  35. ^ "Train Service Information". SBSTransit. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  36. ^ Lim, Adrian (12 September 2017). "Save time on MRT trips? Check new map and walk". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  37. ^ a b c "News Room – News Releases – Downtown Line". LTA. 21 December 2013. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  38. ^ "DTL – Telok Ayer Mrt – Project". ong-ong.com. 5 February 2021. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  39. ^ "Getting Around | Public Transport | A Better Public Transport Experience | Art in Transit". LTA. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  40. ^ a b "Downtown Line 1: Art-In-Transit" (PDF). Land Transport Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  41. ^ a b c "January Issue: Happy 2014!". Monocircus. 22 December 2013. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  42. ^ a b c "Art-in-Transit". SBSTransit. 15 December 2020. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  43. ^ a b c d e Lim Shing Ee. "Our Work at a Train Station in Singapore". Monocircus. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  44. ^ "Singapore's Telok Ayer Transit Station Screen Printing Project". PolyVision. 23 February 2013. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  45. ^ Ting, Lisabel (6 December 2013). "View works on the fast track". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.

Bibliography

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