J108/J109 - Bukit Batok West update

8 September 2022 - Completed pier crosshead mock up at J108 site.

As works pick up along phase 2 of the Jurong Region Line (JRL), we explore how the site near the Bukit Batok West station has changed over time. With some photos dating back to 2020, the changes are fairly obvious as work has come quite a long way from the initial state of site possession.

Contract J108

Close to the station site are several mock up frames - one was used to cast a viaduct pier that has been on site for quite some time now. Another more recent addition is that of, potentially, a viaduct pier crosshead. A pier crosshead is the segment that sits right at the top of the pier and helps to connect it to the future viaduct. In the case of JRL, this is likely to be a single cell girder on each side - 1 for each track - for piers supporting double tracks. Single track viaducts are therefore likely to use single cell segmental boxes much like those currently being assembled at Tengah Park station.

Back in June, when the formwork was first noted on site, it sat empty as just a mould of what was to come. The only rebar visible was that which corresponded to the top of a completed viaduct pier, sans the crosshead. However as of 8th September 2022, the crosshead has been cast and the two single-cell girders can be clearly seen. Should the contractor remove further formwork from the completed mock up, it is likely that even greater details can be observed.

19 June 2022 - Empty formwork for the mock up pier crosshead at J108 site.

We now move on to the station site itself, which is roughly where the mock ups are currently sited. Back in 2020, the area was a grassy field covered with young trees. These have since been cleared to make way for the station's construction - starting with site preparation by clearing out any vegetation & levelling the ground, then proceeding to the current stage of foundation works. In time to come, the physical structure will take shape so that viaduct launching can take place thereafter.

29 November 2020 - The site of the future Bukit Batok West station.

4 September 2022 - The site of the upcoming Bukit Batok West station.

A large part of the work site here is parallel to the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE). A short segment after the station where the tracks converge to be supporting by single piers belongs to contract J108 while the remainder falls under the purview of contract J109. Back in October 2021, site preparation had begun with the clearing of the sensory park and other amenities in the area followed by utility diversions.

Utility diversions, such as those for sewage pipes, are still ongoing at this stretch of the site. However there is progress as noise barriers have been set up along the perimeter and works are at an otherwise more advanced stage of construction that previously observed.

2 October 2021 - A view of the site parallel to the PIE.

4 September 2022 - A view of the site parallel to the PIE with noise barriers
installed since.

4 September 2022 - A close up view of the site parallel to the PIE.

Contract J109
The site parallel to the PIE roughly around the location of block 180 falls under the purview of contract J109. This section has seen more visible progress compared to that within the contract J108 portion. While in October 2021 signs of the amenities such as the playground were still visible, by September 2022 the beginnings of viaduct piers were easily seen.

According to notices by the contractor, approximately 5 to 6 piers can be expected to sprout up within this section of the site. As of September 2022, the foundation pits for at least 4 piers are easily seen, with rebar for the column shaft above ground level visible for 2 piers.

2 October 2021 - Playground equipment still clearly visible in the site, yet to be dismantled
& removed.

2 October 2021 - Playground equipment on site.

4 September 2022 - An aerial view of the contract J109 site parallel to the PIE.

4 September 2022 - Visible work for the viaduct piers.

4 September 2022 - Rebar for the pier shaft visible above ground level.

2 October 2021 - A notice by the contractor detailing the layout of the viaduct & associated
piers.

Progress by both contractors can be clearly seen, especially when one compares back to the original state in which the sites were possessed. We look forward to the completion of the viaduct piers so that construction can move onto the next stage - viaduct launching.

This post is also available on Instagram.