Caldecott MRT station

Circle Line When the Circle Line (CCL) was initially planned, this station, tentatively named "Thomson", was planned to be a shell station. The station was to be opened only when the surroundings were more developed. The contract for the construction of rapid transit system facilities for Thomson station was awarded to Taisei Corporation at a sum of . The station was later announced to be opened with the Stage 4 CCL stations in 2008 and was renamed to "Caldecott" through a public poll. The station opened on 8 October 2011. Thomson–East Coast Line Caldecott station was first announced to interchange with the 22-station Thomson Line (TSL) on 29 August 2012. Contract T213 for the design and construction of the TSL platform and associated tunnels was awarded to Samsung C&T Corporation at a sum of S$285 million (US$ million) in July 2013. Construction started in 2014, with completion initially targeted to be completed in 2020. On 15 August 2014, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that TSL would merge with the ERL to form the TEL. Caldecott station, being part of the proposed line, would be constructed as part of TEL2, which consists of six stations between Springleaf and Caldecott. The station was the terminus of the TEL before the line extended to Gardens by the Bay station. Originally slated to be completed by 2021, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the restrictions imposed on construction works led to delays in the TEL line completion, and the date was pushed to 2022. To facilitate the construction of the interchange station, Exit A of the station was permanently closed from 15 November 2020. Due to the mixed ground conditions of soil and rock and the presence of groundwater, the TEL tunnels at Caldecott station were mined instead of the cut-and-cover method. This construction method also minimised disruption to a service road connecting to St. Joseph's Institution International school. About of rock was removed via electronic rock blasting. On 14 December 2020, it was announced that the opening of TEL 2 was delayed to the third quarter of 2021 so the rail system software for the line could be reviewed. As announced during a visit by Transport Minister S. Iswaran at Caldecott station on 30 June 2021, the station began operations on 28 August 2021. Prior to opening of phase 3 of TEL, trains turnaround by using the cripple siding on the south end of the station. ==Station details==

Location and services Caldecott station is an interchange station on the CCL and TEL. The official station code is CC17/TE9. On the CCL, it is between the Marymount and Botanic Gardens stations. The station operates between 5:28am and 12:30am. Train frequencies on the CCL range from 3.5 to 7 minutes depending on peak hours. On the TEL, the station is between the Upper Thomson and Stevens stations. Train frequencies on the TEL range from 3 to 6 minutes. Located underneath Toa Payoh Link, the station is near schools such as the Marymount Convent School, Lighthouse School and the Singapore School for the Visually Handicapped. It is also close to community and health-related centres such as the Assisi Hospice, Mount Alvernia Hospital, Orange Valley Nursing Home and the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH). Station design Caldecott CCL station is one of eleven stations along the Circle Line designated as CD shelters, which will be activated in times of national emergency. Apart from reinforced construction, the stations are designed and equipped with facilities to ensure the shelter environment is tolerable for all during shelter occupation. These facilities include protective blast doors, decontamination facilities, ventilation systems, power and water supply systems and a dry toilet system. The TEL station has a unique X architectural design. The platforms are the deepest among the TEL2 stations at deep, which are illuminated by natural light. Located near the SAVH, the station has various several features that caters to visually impaired. This included greater colour contrasts at the station platforms and illuminated staircase handrails to enhance visibility. Wheelchair-friendly facilities for the station include backrests and handrails. Near the TEL station was a cripple siding. ==Station artwork==

CCL artwork The station features two artworks as part of the MRT network's Art-in-Transit (AiT) Programme, a public art showcase which integrates artworks into the MRT network. The Cartography Of Memories by Hazel Lim is displayed on the lift shaft at the CCL platforms. The artwork depicts a cartographic map of the Thomson area, where the station is located, using written recollections from some 100 local residents and friends recalling their memorable experiences in Singapore. Originally, Lim proposed a collage of pictures depicting the station's surroundings, seen through frames such as grilles on a bridge or through a window. However, the Art Review Panel, in charge of the AiT programme, was not impressed with this idea, due to its lack of effectiveness on the vertical lift shaft. Realising the impact of the station's and line's construction on the surrounding landscape, the artist decided to capture people's responses towards this, using text as an artistic medium. At the same time, the artist was researching faraway places on Google Maps for another artwork. Looking at the satellite view of Thomson, the artist saw the possibility of framing the area depicting the landmarks around the station. These two ideas were combined into the idea of mapping Thomson using written memories. After collecting the various responses from friends, relatives and LTA staff, Lim selected 40 unique recollections for the work. ==Notes and references==

Notes References Bibliography • • ==External links==