Construction of Brickland MRT station on North-South Line to start in first half of 2026

SINGAPORE - Construction of the new Brickland MRT station, between the existing Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Gombak stops on the North-South Line (NSL), is expected to begin in the first half of 2026.

It is set to welcome passengers in 2034.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Dec 30 that it awarded the contract for design and construction of the station and viaduct to Obayashi Corporation for around $281 million.

Obayashi was one of 18 firms that had applied for the tender when it closed on June 28, 2023.

In its statement, LTA said the firm has an established record in infrastructural projects, including rail stations and tunnels.

Obayashi is currently involved in projects under the second phase of the upcoming Cross Island Line, including the Turf City MRT station.

The company, which has its headquarters in Japan, has worked on other projects in Singapore, including the North East Line’s Dhoby Ghaut station, as well as Jewel Changi Airport, which it constructed as part of a joint venture.

Announced in 2019 as part of the Land Transport Master Plan 2040, Brickland MRT station will be the third MRT stop built on an existing elevated rail line, otherwise known as an “infill station”.

The first was Dover station, which opened in 2001 on the East-West Line, followed by Canberra station, which began operating in 2019 on the NSL. The former took about three years to build, while the latter took about four.

Brickland station will take the longest to build as it was not planned for in the 1980s, when the NSL was built.

LTA said in 2023 that design and construction work on Brickland station was expected to start in 2024.

The authority told The Straits Times on Dec 30 that advance work to prepare for construction, such as the shifting of utilities, had begun as early as March 2024.

“The main civil works, which are covered under this latest contract, are expected to start in the first half of 2026,” it added.

As part of its construction, a viaduct will need to be built for modification work to be done safely on the line’s existing tracks.

This viaduct will allow train services to be diverted from existing viaducts so that work can be done on existing rail infrastructure and systems, while allowing regular rail operations to continue on the NSL.

New crossover tracks will also be laid between the existing and new tracks.

LTA said a new siding will be set up on the tracks, which can be used if a train fault occurs. A siding is a low-speed track where a train can stop, allowing other trains to pass it.

This will improve service recovery and resilience along that stretch of the NSL, the authority said.

Upon completion, the station will serve both existing and future residential developments in Keat Hong estate, Bukit Batok West, Pavilion Park estate and Brickland district in Tengah town.

Students from several institutions in the vicinity, including ITE College West and Swiss Cottage Secondary School, will be able to get to school more easily once the station begins operations.

LTA added that for the safety of passengers, the engineering work will include the installation of a temporary protection enclosure over some stretches of the tracks during construction.

Some work will also be done at night after operating hours.

During construction, LTA and Obayashi will engage residents and relevant parties, and give regular updates on the progress of the works, the authority said.

“We thank commuters and residents for their understanding and patience during the ongoing works, as we continue to expand our rail network for the benefit of our commuters,” LTA added.