Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Soil Investigation: Serangoon North

The final location of noted soil investigation activities is at Serangoon North. Intense works have been conducted in 2018 along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 stretching to Hougang Avenue 2, where the line is likely to swing north under Hougang Avenue 8.

Soil investigation borehole spread showing locations at Serangoon North/Hougang West in relation to Tavistock as of
07 January 2018.

Soil investigations were noticed at Serangoon North estate since 2017. Progressively, more boreholes were noted, even stretching as far as the neighbourhood park at the junction of Hougang Avenues 2 and 8. Based on the locations of the boreholes, it can be assumed that the station will be sited close to Yio Chu Kang Road, near the commercial hub of the estate. This also will allow for a potential connection to a future line along Yio Chu Kang Road, which could serve a parallel corridor to that of the North East Line (NEL), one stop away on the Cross Island Line. A station at Serangoon North would allow easier access for the residents in the area to the MRT network. Educational institutes in the area, such as Bowen Secondary School and the French International School would also be connected to the rail system. With this catchment in mind, it would be hard to justify not placing a station here.

10 June 2017 - A borehole dating to April 2017 in the vicinity.

10 June 2017 - Soil investigation rig outside block 510.

23 April 2018 - Soil investigation rig in the median of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, near block 154.

23 April 2018 - Soil investigation rig noted at the junction of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, Hougang Avenue 2 and Yio Chu Kang Road.

23 April 2018 - Soil investigation rig along Hougang Avenue 2 outside Bowen Secondary.
07 January 2019 - Borehole located in the neighbourhood park next to the junction of
Hougang Avenues 2 and 8.
07 January 2019 - Playground sign and borehole next to the hedge (grey PVC cylinder).

6 comments:

  1. what do the different coloured bore holes represent?

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    Replies
    1. The yellow ones that are larger are boreholes for coring, for the purpose of soil sampling and further tests on the type of soil and rock. The grey cylinders are piezometers for groundwater monitoring.

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  2. “Based on the locations of the boreholes, it can be assumed that the station will be sited close to Yio Chu Kang Road, near the commercial hub of the estate. This also will allow for a potential connection to a future line along Yio Chu Kang Road, which could serve a parallel corridor to that of the North East Line (NEL), one stop away on the Cross Island Line.”

    May I know what do you mean by “a potential connection to a future line”? Is the Land Transport Authority planning to build a 9th MRT line in the future after the entire stretch of CRL from Changi Airport to Gul Circle becomes fully operational? Does that mean Serangoon North MRT Station will become a interchange station in the future?


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    Replies
    1. Hi, we have previously replied your email with regards to future lines - as you have previously read on CCL6 Construction, Prince Edward Road is being constructed as a future cross-platform station, so yes, there will be future lines post-CRL. As to where that line goes, we have very few clues at the moment.

      As to the meaning of potential connection to a future line, it means that this is not certain, but possible. We understand that there has been long discussion and speculation that there will be a line towards Seletar, and this dates back to the days when LTA was planning NEL. A viable corridor for this line to run would be along the Yio Chu Kang Road corridor, making this a more suitable candidate for an interchange station than say Tavistock.

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    2. https://scontent-sin2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/31924555_10155424420683244_7567497011344179200_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent-sin2-1.xx&oh=0395d98068e6310c7f904418d17c13f2&oe=5CB94F37

      If you required the image that we were referring to earlier. :)

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    3. Thanks for your reply! Do you think that the original plan for the North Shore Line has been scrapped because of the CRL? When will the tender bidding process begin and end?

      By the way, I didn't receive your email reply the last time round. Could you send it to my email at lxy315lxy@gmail.com? Thank you! 😊

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