P105 - One last look at the Punggol station underpass

 

A map of the Punggol North East Line station. The underpass
runs parallel to the station, below Punggol Central and is located
between exits A & D.
Source: SBS Transit

6 May 2023 - A view of the entry point to the underpass from Exit D.

Part of the underpass will be converted into a new exit for the station.

With works for the Punggol station on the Cross Island Line (CRL) - Punggol Extension (CPE) now underway, the existing underpass at Punggol's North East Line station will close come 15th February 2024. The northern part of the underpass will be converted into Exit 7 of the new CPE station box while the southern part will be permanently closed. In future, Exit 5 will connect to the CPE station's concourse level, providing an alternative to the existing underpass. Currently, a street level pedestrian crossing is available for commuters to cross Punggol Central without going through the paid areas of the station. As the crossing is located underneath the LRT platforms, it is also weather-protected. We take one last look at the underpass before its closure on 15th February 2024.

A notice from the contract P105 Telegram group on the underpass'
impending closure from 15 February 2024.

6 May 2023 - Pedestrian crossing at street level beneath the LRT platforms provides an alternative
for commuters to cross Punggol Central.

6 May 2023 - Entrance to the underpass on the side of Exit D.

6 May 2023 - Stairway to the underpass.

6 May 2023 - A view of the underpass while operational.

6 May 2023 - This wall will be demolished to allow for connection to the Cross Island Line
station's concourse level.

14 December 2023 - Another view of the entrance to the underpass from the side of Exit D.

14 December 2023 - Signage in place ahead of the closure.

14 December 2023 - The escalators and stairs seen in the evening.

15 July 2020 - A view of the entrance to the underpass on the Exit A side.

The existing underpass is a simple connecting corridor with 1 escalator and a set of staircases at each end. Each escalator is set to run upwards on each side with pedestrians intending to access the underpass having to use the stairs to descend below. With the pedestrian crossing available at street level and offering barrier-free access, which the underpass does not, the underpass is quite underutilised and is often very quiet. Despite this, it is brightly lit and litter-free.

2024 - A view of the underpass this year.
Image by YYZ, a Punggol resident.

2024 - Underpass closure signage.
Image by YYZ, a Punggol resident.

With the underpass due to close permanently on 15 February, there still remains time to visit one last time tomorrow to see a relic from the NEL's opening in 2003.

This post will also be available on Instagram & Facebook on 14 February 2024.