North-South Line sleeper replacement works to be completed by end of the month

SINGAPORE — SMRT is set to complete sleeper replacement works on the North-South Line (NSL) by the end of this month, the company announced in a joint statement with the Land Transport Authority today (April 25).

In all, 96,000 timber sleepers will be replaced with concrete ones. The completion of the sleeper replacement programme will result in train journey times reduced by 10-15 per cent, SMRT said, with speed restrictions on trains lifted.

In its statement today, SMRT also announced that sleeper replacement works will commence on the East-West Line (EWL) from the middle of next month. In total, more than 92,000 timber sleepers between Boon Lay and Tiong Bahru, as well as between Lavender and Pasir Ris, will be replaced with concrete sleepers. Works are expected to be completed by end-2016.

The sleeper replacement programme has been part of a multi-year effort to enhance the reliability of the North-South and East-West Lines. During replacement works, trains have to travel at slower speeds of around 40-60kmh at some stretches to ensure the safety of passengers.

“We would like to thank residents and commuters living along the NSL for their patience and understanding over the past few years. Lessons learnt from our experience on the NSL will lead to engineering and service improvements as we embark on works on the EWL,” said SMRT Trains Managing Director Lee Ling Wee.