| Type: | Future Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) terminus |
| Address: | 101 New Punggol Road Singapore 828604 |
| Structure: | Underground |
| Platform: | 2 (1 island platform) |
| Levels: | 1 |
| Tracks: | 2 |
| Parking: | Yes |
| Bicycle: | Yes |
| Electrified: | Yes |
| Accessible: | Yes |
| Operator: | SBS Transit Ltd (ComfortDelGro Corporation) |
| Map Type: | Singapore Rail |
| Map Dot Label: | Punggol Coast |
| Map Alt: | Singapore MRT/LRT system map |
| Map Size: | 300px |
Punggol Coast MRT station is a future underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the North East line (NEL) in northern Punggol, Singapore. The station will serve the upcoming Punggol Digital District (PDD), an integrated mixed-use commercial development, alongside the new campus of the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). Once completed, it will replace Punggol station as the NEL northern terminus.
First announced in 2013, plans for the station's construction were brought forward from 2030 to 2023 in conjunction with development plans for the area. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the expected operational date of the station was pushed back to 2024. The station will open to the public on 10 December 2024 at 3P.M.
On 17 January 2013, transport minister Lui Tuck Yew announced a one-station extension of the NEL to serve upcoming developments in Punggol North. The NEL extension (NELe) was expected to be completed in 2030 in conjunction with development plans for a new downtown in the area.[1] [2]
However, in June 2017, second minister for transport Ng Chee Meng announced that the extension for completion by 2023 to better accommodate the area's development timeline.[3] [4] [5] When completed, the station was expected to serve 75,000 passengers in the area.
The contract for the design and construction of this station was awarded to China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited (Singapore Branch) in December 2017. The S$79 million (US$ million) included the construction of of tunnels.[6] [7] Construction started in 2017, with an initial expected completion date of 2023.[8] The construction project was overseen by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and JTC Corporation.[9]
Part of tunneling works was carried out near the live operations of the Punggol LRT line and Punggol station. A segment of the NELe tunnels was constructed using the cut-and-cover method, which required excavation of up to deep. The tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for the NELe works were launched near Punggol station, with a receiving shaft at the Punggol Digital District (PDD). The TBMs have sensors that allows precise and safe tunneling operations, minimising any impact on the surface or other underground infrastructure.[10] After the LTA bored the tunnels, the tunnels within the PDD were constructed by JTC. Tunneling works for the NELe were completed on 13 November 2020 with 40% of the construction works completed.
The JTC constructed the site for the station, which also serves as structural support for the Punggol Digital District (PDD). The team had to navigate a complex framework of codes and practices for both transit and building design. Subsequently, the LTA took over the station's construction to complete the architectural work on the interior, including ceiling, floor, wall finishes, and platform seating, from 2022 to 2024.
With restrictions imposed on construction works due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung announced that the station's completion date would be delayed to 2024.[11] [12] In June and July 2024, NEL operations began later at 8 am on Sundays to integrate testing and commissioning works with the new station.[13] The station was handed over to SBS Transit in August 2024. On 10 October that year, the LTA announced that the station will open on 10 December.[14]
Punggol Coast station will be the terminus of the NEL with an official station code of NE18.[15]
The station will be located in Punggol North and serve the Punggol Digital District (PDD) alongside the new Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) campus.[16] The campus is slated to be operational by the second half of 2024,[17] and the multi-purpose public space around the station will be developed as an extension of the SIT campus.[18] The station will also serve Punggol Coast Bus Interchange and surrounding residential areas,[19] and is set to have 1212 bicycle parking spaces.
The station's design features columns inspired by mangroves, with each of the 11 large concourse columns extending into beams that mimic mangrove roots. Pendant lights and lofty ceilings contribute to a cathedral-like ambience for commuters. Integrated with the PDD, the station also utilise the district's cooling system.