183
Proceedings of the 18
th
International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Paris 2013
1
The new Bugis Station and associated tunnels for the Singapore MRT
Métro de Singapour : nouvelle station Bugis et tunnels associés
Sim A.
Soletanche-Bachy
ABSTRACT: The construction of the new Bugis Station and associated tunnels presented a number of interesting challenges all of
which are linked to the building of new infrastructure in mature urban environments. The story of Mass Rapid Transit in Singapore is
not at all old, with the first lines only operating for little over 25 years. However, the City State now finds that new lines are
increasingly interlacing with existing underground assets, with unique problems presenting themselves. This, together with a more
sophisticated population which demands greater respect for the built environment with inconvenience along with noise, dust and
water pollution all being subject to greater scrutiny and demands for the Client and Contractor alike to deliver projects according to
the highest international standards.
RÉSUMÉ : La construction de la nouvelle station Bugis et des tunnels associés a présenté plusieurs défis intéressants, tous liés à la
construction d’infrastructures nouvelles dans un environnement urbain dense. L’histoire du métro de Singapour est récente, puisque
les premières lignes sont en exploitation depuis un peu plus de 25 ans. Cependant, l’Etat de Singapour est maintenant confronté au fait
que les tracés des nouvelles lignes rencontrent des ouvrages souterrains existants, ce qui génère des problèmes uniques. S’ajoutent à
cela plusieurs facteurs qui rendent les projets de nouvelles lignes particulièrement complexes : une population plus sophistiquée qui
demande un plus grand respect de l’environnement existant, une attention croissante portée aux nuisances (bruit, poussière, eau), et
des demandes au client et à l’entreprise de se conformer aux normes internationales les plus exigeantes.
KEYWORDS: tunnel, station, underground, top down, bottom up, mining.
1 INTRODUCTION
The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system started
operational service on the 7 November 1987. The decision to
proceed with a Rapid Transit System was only taken after
extensive studies and consideration of a bus only system. Given
the land-scarce country’s other priorities and with 10% of the
available land already taken up by roads and related facilities
the decision was taken to construct an extensive MRT network
starting with the 45km North South Line initially comprising 20
stations. A further 21 stations were subsequently added with the
opening of the East West Line in July 1990.
The MRT has continued its expansion with the extension of
the existing lines and the construction of new lines such as the
North East Line and the Circle Line and this has been
complemented with Light Rail systems at Bukit Panjang,
Sengkang and Punggol feeding the main MRT system.
Following publication by the Singapore Land Transport
Authority (LTA) of a White Paper titled “A World Class Land
Transportation System” in 1996 an extensive expansion of this
network was confirmed and is now proceeding apace. The
comprehensive rail network will become the backbone of an
integrated public transportation system catering for a growing
population.
Whilst the early lines mixed underground and overhead
sections the new lines are entirely underground. The 16 station,
North East Line and 28 station Circle Line are fully
underground and these will be followed by the 34 station
Downtown Line, 22 station Thomson Line and the future
Eastern Region and Cross Island Lines.
This major expansion in a mature urban environment brings
with it many challenges some of which are addressed in this
paper.
Figure 1. General view of Bugis station.
2 DOWNTOWN LINE
The LTA announced the construction of the Downtown Line in
June 2005. The stage one of the project was initially referred to
as the Downtown Extension of the Circle Line but as planning
evolved this became the first of three phases to complete the
whole Downtown Line which will be the fifth metro line to be
constructed in Singapore and is due to be fully open by 2016.
2.1.
Presentation of the Downtown Line (DTL)
Serving the expanding business district of Marina Bay along
with the new Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort and through
to the North-Western and Eastern areas of the island the line
will comprise 34 stations over its 42km length. As mentioned
