SINGAPORE - Several MRT stations on the East-West Line (EWL) will close at 11pm on a few days in April and May for maintenance, SMRT said on Friday (March 31).

"The early closure of these stations will facilitate track maintenance and renewal work at railway junctions," transport operator SMRT said.

The stations affected are Lakeside to Joo Koon on April 14 and 21, and Tanah Merah to Changi Airport on April 28 and May 5.

There will be no service in both directions from 11pm on those Fridays.

This will give engineering staff double the time to carry out maintenance work to replace rails worn out by wear and tear at railway junctions.

"More time is needed as the replacement of the rails at railway junctions, where crossing, switch and running rails are located, is a complex process," SMRT said.

Commuters will be informed of alternative routes during the nights of early closure through announcements at train stations and in trains before the closure. SMRT station staff will also guide commuters.

SMRT has also arranged for parallel bus services, and more information of these services will be made available within the next few weeks.

Mr Lee Ling Wee, managing director of SMRT Trains, thanked commuters for facilitating the renewal of the track.

He said: "We are confident the renewal of railway junctions, where crossing, switch and running rails are located, will be expedited with additional time gained by closing selected MRT stations earlier.

"We thank commuters for adjusting their travel schedules to facilitate maintenance and renewal work. Our engineering staff value every minute of track access to carry out their work."