J109 - Toh Guan update Q2 2023

 

16 April 2023 - A view of the viaduct piers along Bukit Batok South.

Toh Guan station falls under contract J109, one of the most unusual and interesting contracts we have seen in a while. This is largely due to the fact that the contract is split into two sections - the northern section where Toh Guan station is located and a southern section which continues after connecting near Jurong East station. For this update, we're looking at the northern section of the contract which begins with 5 viaduct piers along Bukit Batok South, parallel to the Pan Island Expressway (PIE). Works here have been progressing steadily and without much fanfare. This is our Q2 2023 update for Toh Guan station.

16 April 2023 - Works going on in the median of the Pan Island Expressway (PIE).

16 April 2023 - Works on the Jurong East side of the expressway.

7 May 2023 - A view of viaduct pier works along Bukit Batok South.

7 May 2023 - A close up of the ongoing viaduct pier works.

7 May 2023 - A viaduct pier cast up to the crown level but without crosshead yet.

7 May 2023 - Work on the Jurong East side of the expressway.

7 May 2023 - A close up of bored piling works.

7 May 2023 - Works along Jurong East Central.

25 June 2023 - Works at the PIE.

25 June 2023 - Further works to the pier with crosshead completed.

25 June 2023 - Works on the Jurong East side of the PIE.

Viaducts along Bukit Batok South
The contract will ultimately see 6 viaduct piers constructed along the Bukit Batok South side of the PIE and one pier in the expressway median. Five of these piers have been cast up to the crown level within the past quarter, with one having the crosshead cast as well. We understand that viaduct segment launching works are targeted to commence in Q3 2023. Given that there are no other piers that have popped up along contract J109 north or south for a significant stretch, it is likely that segment launching works will begin here.

As the Jurong Region Line (JRL) makes rather tight turns, launch gantries are not the best solution for constructing viaducts under such circumstances. It is unlikely that a launch gantry will be deployed for the section of viaduct along Bukit Batok South. With crossheads being constructed and Q3 about halfway through, we shall soon see which method of launching segments is deployed for construction here.

25 June 2023 - Works along Jurong East Central.

25 June 2023

25 June 2023 - Street level view of Jurong East Central.

25 June 2023 - A view of Jurong East Central looking northwards.

25 June 2023 - An aerial view of Jurong East Central.

25 June 2023

25 June 2023 - Road diversions along Jurong East Central southwards to Jurong East.

Works along Jurong East Central
After crossing the PIE, the line runs south along Jurong East Central. Squeezing between the existing North-South Line (NSL) tracks and existing HDB apartment blocks, the line weaves its way through towards Jurong East and the contract boundary with contract J120. Some road diversions have taken place to allow a work site to be created in the road median. Works here over the past quarter were focused on construction of the foundation elements for the viaduct and station piers.

Owing to the tight layout of the site, it can be expected that there would be some portal piers put in place to support the viaduct going over the roadway. Work has been focused on the northern part of the road where it swings in from the PIE, the station area and station approach to the south - leaving the approach to the Jurong East crossing at a less advanced stage of construction.

With works now well into Q3 of the year, we look forward to seeing the progress as it is made incrementally. As of late, the contract's Telegram channel has been updating about casting works ongoing quite often. We look forward to eventually seeing the fruits of labour sprouting up and will be sure to update on the blog when these occur.

This post will also be available on Instagram & Facebook on 17 August 2023.