LTA awards last 3 Thomson Line construction contracts worth $1.3b

Guess who walked away with fatter pockets.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded the last three of 25 major civil contracts for Thomson Line’s Orchard, Marina South and Gardens by the Bay stations and tunnels at a total value of around S$1.32 billion.

The construction of Orchard station has been awarded to Penta-Ocean Construction Co Ltd – Bachy Soletanche Singapore Pte Ltd Joint Venture, at a contract sum of approximately S$498 million. The company is currently involved in the construction of Downtown Line’s Bendemeer station, as well as Thomson Line’s Woodlands North and Bright Hill stations.

The construction of the Marina South station and tunnels has been awarded to Sinohydro Corporation Ltd. (Singapore Branch) – Sembcorp Design and Construction Pte Ltd Joint Venture, for a contract sum of S$488 million.

The construction of the Gardens by the Bay station and tunnels has been awarded to Nishimatsu Construction Co., Ltd – Bachy Soletanche Singapore Pte Ltd Joint Venture, at a contract sum of S$331 million.

According to LTA’s Deputy Chief Executive Chua Chong Kheng: “With the award of these three civil contracts, LTA has awarded all the 25 major civil contracts for Thomson Line at a total cost of approximately S$7.77 billion. Construction works for Thomson Line are currently in full swing and the line is on track to open in phases between 2019 and 2021.”

Here’s more from the LTA:

Orchard station will be an interchange station connecting Thomson Line with the North-South Line. When opened, commuters on the North-South Line can enjoy greater accessibility to the Thomson and Havelock precincts.

As Thomson Line will run largely parallel to the North-South Line, it will bring significant time savings to commuters travelling along the north-south corridor.

For example, Woodlands South residents travelling to Orchard will be able to do so within a 35-minute train ride on the TSL, compared to a 50-minute journey by bus and MRT today.

Together with Woodlands, Lentor, Mayflower, Bright Hill and Mount Pleasant stations, Gardens by the Bay station will serve as the sixth Civil Defence shelter along the Thomson Line.

The station will also link Thomson Line to the future Eastern Region Line when both lines are completed.