A complex and tight timeline faces MRT system upgrades as engineers navigate hefty equipment and limited work hours.
Singapore – For the past five years, a dedicated team of up to 90 engineers has worked tirelessly, often seven days a week, to replace the power supply and track circuit systems of Singapore’s oldest MRT lines, the North-South and East-West lines (NSEWL). As part of a $2.6 billion project initiated in 2012, the engineers have faced multiple challenges, including tight work windows, heavy equipment, and space constraints. The project is part of a broader effort to modernize the rail network.
Time Constraints and Logistics Challenges
One of the most daunting aspects of the overhaul is the limited time window for work. Every night, the team has just three hours after passenger services end to replace critical infrastructure. Over 1,300km of power cables, 250km of fibre-optic cables, and 206 power transformers need to be replaced during this time, a task requiring extensive coordination.
For example, transporting the hefty 95-tonne transformers from the Bishan Depot to City Hall station takes a 30-minute journey, though this only represents a small portion of the transportation challenges faced in the project.
Tight Spaces and Temporary Substations
The installation of new substations is another key part of the upgrade. Engineers would prefer to use temporary substations to keep the system operational during the work. However, in places like Somerset Station, where there is not enough space for temporary infrastructure, they have to divide the work into smaller phases, ensuring that train operations are not interrupted while still carrying out necessary tasks.
Heavy Equipment and Coordination
Some of the equipment being replaced, like the 95-tonne intake transformers, pose additional logistical hurdles. There are also 116 service transformers weighing between 5 to 7 tonnes each. Despite their heavy weight, the team has to work quickly and precisely to meet the project’s deadline.
Track Circuit System Renewal
In addition to the power supply upgrades, the track circuit system is being replaced. This system, which works alongside the upgraded signalling system, helps identify the location of trains across the network. It can also detect faults like broken rails, reducing service disruption. Replacing over 1,100 track circuits, some components of which weigh up to 500kg, has been another challenge, especially given the weather conditions and the need to coordinate access with SMRT, the operator of the MRT system.
Despite facing these obstacles, the team has made substantial progress in the renewal project, ensuring that the NSEWL will be better equipped to meet the demands of passengers while reducing disruptions. With the project set to finish by December 2023, the upgraded system promises more reliable and efficient MRT services.
