Construction of Singapore’s largest train and bus depot, The East Coast Integrated Depot in Changi, is nearing completion, with structural and architectural works 98 percent finished and systems such as plumbing and electrical at 83 percent. Scheduled to open in 2026, the depot’s launch was delayed from its original 2024 timeline due to Covid-19-related disruptions, and then further to 2026. Current efforts focus on completing rail tracks, architectural finishes, roadworks, and perimeter structures. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) shared these updates during a media visit on November 27, ahead of a planned train service suspension between Tanah Merah and Tampines MRT stations in December to connect tracks from the East-West MRT Line (EWL) to the depot.
Construction of the 36-hectare four-in-one depot began in 2016. Once operational, it will accommodate train depots for three rail lines and a bus depot. To facilitate its completion, LTA announced two more planned service adjustments for the EWL over the next two years, with details to be revealed later. During the media visit, LTA highlighted innovations such as the use of “Mega Mats” to stabilize heavy machinery on soft ground, which replaced the time-intensive process of installing conventional steel decking. The project also employed improved precast component designs, reducing the number of required parts from over 105,000 to about 34,000.
Sustainability and noise reduction are key elements of the depot’s design. Sound-absorbing fibreboard panels have been installed on the columns and ceilings of the bus depot to minimize operational noise. Eco-friendly features include extensive rooftop greenery, spanning 47,000 square meters, which helps lower indoor temperatures and is expected to remove around 84 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. These measures align with LTA’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure while ensuring functionality and efficiency for Singapore’s growing transport needs.
Source: The Straits Times