SINGAPORE — Work is on track to prepare the land for the Changi East development, which includes a three-runway system and a new Terminal 5 for Changi Airport, the Ministry of Transport said today (May 27) at a briefing.

Site surveys, soil investigations and site clearance works have concluded, and work is being carried out to treat and strengthen the site, which sits on reclaimed land.

Sprawling over 1,000 hectares, the site comprises thick layers of soft marine clay and sand which cannot support airport infrastructure and aircraft load. Ground improvement work, using techniques such as prefabricated vertical drains and deep cement mixing, are needed to increase soil strength. The treated soil will then take time to settle before new facilities such as runways and taxiways can be introduced.

Various parts of the site also need to be raised to mitigate the impact of a projected rise in sea level due to climate change.

Work to widen the Tanah Merah Coast Road and construct a new road between Tanah Merah Coast Road and Aviation Road are ongoing. The new road will replace the existing Changi Coast Road, which will be expunged to create an airfield between the airport and upcoming developments.

Other major work, such as canal diversion, runway and taxiway pavement construction, will commence later this year. The entire development of the site will take five to six more years.