CR115 - Launch shaft preparation

 

06 November - An overview of the site preparation for the launch shaft.

06 November 2022 - The site with the noise barriers will be used for the launch shaft operations.

Contract CR115 is for the construction of Tavistock station and tunnels starting at Ang Mo Kio station & ending at Serangoon North station. The tunneling works will also involve tunneling through the Tavistock station box before excavation reaches the base slab level - similar to that which was done for Katong Park station - where the tunnel rings will subsequently be removed to allow for station construction.

To facilitate tunneling works ahead of the eventual station construction, a launch shaft is to be constructed underneath Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, just west of the Central Expressway (CTE). The launch shaft will be used to support the operations of 3 tunnel boring machines (TBMs), boring 4 drives. 1 TBM will be used to bore the westward tunnels to Ang Mo Kio by being retrieved and re-launched from the shaft. A further 2 TBMs will be launched eastwards, boring single tunnels up to Serangoon North station.

06 November 2022 - Trellis near the diversion site with a notice of closure
of the facility dating back to July 2022.

06 November 2022 - A view of the existing westbound lanes of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3.

06 November 2022 - A view of the existing eastbound lanes of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3. The roadway
will eventually be diverted to the left.

Works are underway to facilitate the construction of the launch shaft. Works flank both sides of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 - the north side being used to facilitate a road diversion and the south as a launch shaft operations support & staging site. Some structures, such as the drainage lines & pedestrian foot paths can be seen taking shape at the road diversion site while massive site clearing is going on on the opposite side.

06 November 2022 - The launch shaft work site is bounded by the Central Expressway & Ang Mo
Kio Avenue 3.

06 November 2022 - Looking towards Tavistock station on the opposite side of the expressway.

06 November 2022

06 November 2022 - A view of the roadway diversion site.

06 November 2022

Notice boards at the nearby HDB flats detail part of the construction process. The construction of the launch shaft will take approximately a year to complete as diaphragm walls will need to be constructed and thereafter excavation can take place.

06 November 2022 - Noticeboard at a nearby HDB flat.

06 November 2022 - Details of upcoming works.

06 November 2022 - Location of the launch shaft for contract CR115.

Construction of the launch shaft can only take place once the road has been diverted. We look forward to seeing the completion of the road diversion soon, as that will signal the commencement of launch shaft construction works. Do watch this space for more updates as they come in.

This post is also available on Instagram.