Cross Island Line: LTA to implement traffic changes in Ang Mo Kio after underground obstructions found跨岛线：陆路交通管理局发现地下障碍物后，将在宏茂桥实施交通管制措施。
The discovery of ground anchors beneath Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 during Cross Island Line tunnelling works has prompted temporary traffic changes along the road, which will take effect on Nov 14.The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a press release on Friday (Oct 16) that the changes will remain in place until May 2028 to facilitate investigations and recovery...
The discovery of ground anchors beneath Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 during Cross Island Line tunnelling works has prompted temporary traffic changes along the road, which will take effect on Nov 14.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a press release on Friday (Oct 16) that the changes will remain in place until May 2028 to facilitate investigations and recovery works.
Ground anchors are steel structures installed in soil or rock to keep the ground stable and support nearby structures, including retaining walls.
The obstructions were first detected in May, when foreign materials were discharged from the tunnel boring machine (TBM), said LTA.
Inspections found wire ropes entangled around the machine's cutterhead, requiring the manual removal and replacement of damaged cutters.
Between May and July, 100 cutterhead interventions were carried out to clear further obstructions from the machine, with about 800kg of wire ropes extracted and 22 damaged cutters replaced.
Further investigations identified the obstructions as ground anchors beneath Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3.
Hitting these ground anchors can damage tunnelling equipment, delay construction and pose safety risks to both underground works and roads above.
LTA said they have suspended tunnelling works while investigations continue to determine the obstructions' full extent, origin and impact on the construction timeline.
The agency said they will carry out preliminary recovery works, which will include ground improvement to strengthen and stabilise the ground before tunnelling can safely resume.
Traffic changes to last until May 2028
Under the temporary traffic arrangement, the eastbound carriageway between AMK Hub's pick-up and drop-off point and the Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 junction will become a bus-only lane.
The westbound carriageway will also be reduced from three lanes to two.
Motorists can expect longer queues entering AMK Hub during peak periods, with additional travel time of about 10 to 15 minutes.
Changes will also be made to access arrangements at AMK Hub's pick-up and drop-off point, while the existing pedestrian crossing will be relocated.
Ground-level access to the pedestrian overhead bridge across Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 will be closed. Alternative access will be available through level two of AMK Hub during mall operating hours.
Access to AMK Hub's basement car park, its pick-up and drop-off point, and the HDB car park serving Blocks 322 and 343 will remain available.
LTA said bus stop access and barrier-free accessibility for pedestrians and commuters will be maintained, with temporary covered linkways provided along diverted routes where possible.
"Our priority now is to fully understand the situation and address the obstructions safely before tunnelling resumes," said group director of the Cross Island Line Ng Choon Yeang.
'We will carry out the necessary recovery works thoroughly and safely. Safety remains our top priority,"
He added that LTA understood the temporary traffic changes would cause some inconvenience to residents, motorists and businesses in the area, but said they are necessary to provide teams with safe access and sufficient space to carry out investigations, assessments and recovery works.
helmy.saat@asiaone.com
在跨岛线隧道工程中，宏茂桥3道下方发现了地锚，因此该路段将实施临时交通管制，管制措施将于11月14日起生效。
陆路交通管理局（LTA）在周五（10月16日）发布的新闻稿中表示，这些变更将持续到2028年5月，以方便调查和恢复工作。
地锚是安装在土壤或岩石中的钢结构，用于保持地面稳定并支撑附近的建筑物，包括挡土墙。
陆路交通管理局表示，这些障碍物最早于 5 月份被发现，当时隧道掘进机 (TBM) 排出了异物。
检查发现钢丝绳缠绕在机器的切割头上，需要手动拆卸和更换损坏的切割器。
从 5 月到 7 月，进行了 100 次刀盘干预，以清除机器上的进一步障碍物，取出了约 800 公斤的钢丝绳，更换了 22 个损坏的刀盘。
进一步调查发现，这些障碍物是宏茂桥 3 道下方的地锚。
撞击这些地锚会损坏隧道设备，延误施工，并对地下工程和地上道路构成安全隐患。
陆路交通管理局表示，他们已暂停隧道工程，同时继续调查以确定障碍物的全部范围、来源及其对施工进度的影响。
该机构表示，他们将开展初步恢复工作，包括地基改良，以加固和稳定地基，然后才能安全地恢复隧道施工。
交通管制措施将持续至2028年5月。
根据临时交通安排，宏茂桥枢纽上下客点与宏茂桥8道交叉口之间的东行车道将改为公交车专用道。
西行车道也将由三车道减少到两车道。
高峰时段，驾车人士进入 AMK Hub 时可能会遇到更长的排队，预计行程时间会增加 10 到 15 分钟。
AMK Hub 的上下客点的通行安排也将有所改变，现有的行人过街通道也将进行改道。
通往横跨宏茂桥3道的行人天桥的地面通道将关闭。商场营业时间内，顾客可通过宏茂桥中心二楼进入。
AMK Hub 的地下停车场、上下客点以及为第 322 座和第 343 座组屋提供服务的建屋发展局停车场仍可正常使用。
陆路交通管理局表示，将维持巴士站的通行便利以及行人和通勤者的无障碍通行，并在可能的情况下沿改道路线提供临时有顶连廊。
“我们现在的首要任务是充分了解情况，并在隧道恢复施工之前安全地解决障碍，”跨岛线集团董事吴春阳表示。
“我们将彻底、安全地开展必要的恢复工作。安全始终是我们的首要任务。”
他还补充说，陆路交通管理局理解临时交通管制措施会给该地区的居民、驾车人士和商家带来一些不便，但这些措施是必要的，以便为调查、评估和恢复工作提供安全的通道和足够的空间。
helmy.saat@asiaone.com