Road changes around AMK Hub for 18 months after unexpected obstructions halt MRT tunnelling works

The temporary traffic reconfiguration along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 is required to facilitate additional recovery works, said the Land Transport Authority.

MRT construction work along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 on Oct 13, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Jeremy Long)

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SINGAPORE: Traffic arrangements around AMK Hub will be reconfigured for about 18 months from Nov 14, after unexpected obstructions were found during tunnelling works for the Cross Island Line (CRL).

The changes along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 are expected to remain in place until May 2028, and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Friday (Oct 16) that it would deploy measures to manage traffic and minimise inconvenience for motorists, commuters and residents.

According to LTA, the 18-month timeline is based on current assessments and may be adjusted as recovery works progress.

AMK Hub is connected to Ang Mo Kio MRT station and the bus interchange.

To ensure the safety of road users and provide enough working space for investigations and recovery works, traffic flows along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 will change.

The eastbound carriageway between the mall's pick-up and drop-off point and the junction with Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 will become a bus-only lane.

In the opposite direction, the westbound carriageway will be reduced from three lanes to two.

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Motorists who currently travel east along the affected stretch of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 will have to use alternative routes.

During the morning peak, motorists heading towards the Central Expressway (CTE) can travel via Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 or Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 instead.

Depending on the route, this is estimated to add about one to five minutes to their journeys.

Those heading into AMK Hub during peak periods should expect longer queues and about 10 to 15 minutes of additional travel time, LTA said.

Motorists will still be able to access AMK Hub's basement car park and pick-up and drop-off point, although the entry and exit arrangements for the pick-up and drop-off point will change.

Traffic wardens and road signs will be deployed to guide motorists, with notifications also sent through their on-board units.

“Motorists are advised to plan their journeys ahead and follow traffic signs and directions at the affected area,” said LTA.

For pedestrians and public transport commuters, access to bus stops along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 will not be affected and barrier-free accessibility will be maintained.

However, the footpath along the eastbound side of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 will be closed, with pedestrians diverted through AMK Hub. The existing pedestrian crossing will also be relocated.

Ground-level access to the pedestrian overhead bridge on the AMK Hub side will also be closed. During the mall's operating hours, pedestrians can instead reach the bridge through Level 2 of AMK Hub.

Cross Island Line construction work along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 on Oct 13, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Jeremy Long)

Temporary covered linkways will be provided along diverted routes where practicable, while wayfinding and directional maps will be placed at pedestrian crossings. Traffic marshals will be deployed to guide commuters.

Signs will also be put up to indicate that businesses in the affected area remain accessible.

LTA said it has engaged residents, pedestrians and businesses in the area on the upcoming changes, with updates also shared through a Telegram group chat.

The authority added that traffic conditions would be monitored after the changes take effect, with further adjustments if necessary.

“We are also deploying additional resources, and will expedite works where they can be done safely,” said LTA.

TUNNELLING WORKS SUSPENDED

The traffic reconfiguration is needed to facilitate recovery works, after "unexpected ground obstructions" were discovered during tunnelling works for the construction of Ang Mo Kio station on the CRL.

The problems first surfaced in May, when "foreign materials" were unexpectedly discharged from the tunnel boring machine.

When workers inspected the machine, they found wire ropes entangled around its cutterhead. The ropes were removed and damaged cutters replaced, allowing tunnelling to resume.

However, between May and July, a total of 100 cutterhead interventions were required to clear more obstructions from the tunnel boring machine. About 800kg of wire ropes were extracted and 22 damaged cutters were replaced during this period.

The repeated encounters indicated that the obstruction was more extensive than initially assessed, LTA said.

Further investigations identified the obstructions as ground anchors beneath Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3.

Ground anchors are steel structures drilled into the ground to provide temporary support for retaining walls or other structures.

If encountered during tunnelling, they can damage the tunnel boring machine’s cutter tools, disrupt tunnelling and pose significant safety risks to underground works and the roads above, said LTA.

LTA has suspended tunnelling while it investigates the full extent of the obstructions and their origins. It is also assessing the impact of the obstructions on the timeline of CRL construction works.

Preliminarily, LTA will need to carry out recovery measures, including ground improvement works to strengthen and stabilise the ground along the tunnel alignment, before tunnelling can safely resume.

The obstructions will be progressively removed from within the tunnel boring machine while tunnelling proceeds in a safe and controlled manner.

Responding to queries from CNA, an LTA spokesperson said site investigations and engineering assessments, including soil investigation boreholes, are carried out before major infrastructure projects begin.

However, as boreholes sample ground conditions only at specific locations and intervals, slender ground anchors are difficult to detect unless a borehole intersects them.

In addition, the underground anchors were not reflected in the available records or as-built drawings and were therefore not identified before tunnelling.

LTA said there is currently no indication of similar undocumented ground anchors elsewhere along the tunnel alignment of the CRL, and that the issue is specific to this location.

Investigations and engineering assessments are ongoing, while the cost implications are being assessed.

" It would be premature to speculate on responsibility or potential actions at this stage. LTA will continue to assess the findings as they emerge and determine the appropriate next steps based on the facts established," said the authority.

Jaw crusher arms blocked by wires. (Photo: LTA)

It added: “The safety of residents, pedestrians, motorists and workers remains our foremost priority.

“The recovery works and traffic reconfiguration are necessary to ensure that investigations and engineering assessments can be carried out safely and thoroughly before tunnelling activities continue.”

It added that the area remains safe for public use and that ground conditions around AMK Hub and the surrounding area will be closely monitored while investigations and recovery works continue.

LTA's Cross Island Line group director Ng Choon Yeang said the priority now is to fully understand the situation and address the obstructions safely before tunnelling resumes.

"We understand the temporary traffic changes will cause some inconvenience to residents, motorists and businesses in the area … We thank the public for their understanding and patience, and we will keep the public updated as recovery works progress," he added.

Some of the wire ropes extracted from the tunnel boring machine during tunnelling works for the Cross Island Line. About 800kg of wire ropes were extracted between May and July 2026. (Photo: LTA)

"CAN PLACE A REAL BURDEN"

Research Assistant Professor Samuel Chng from the Singapore University of Technology and Design said the traffic changes would put more pressure on the remaining road capacity around AMK Hub, with longer queues expected at some junctions, particularly during peak periods.

The diverted traffic would also place additional demand on alternative routes towards the CTE during the morning peak, he said.

While LTA's assessments indicate that the surrounding road network can accommodate the diverted traffic, this does not mean journeys will be unaffected, he added.

"Much will depend on how queues develop at individual junctions and how quickly traffic management measures are adjusted in response," he said.

" The estimated additional 10 to 15 minutes relates specifically to motorists entering AMK Hub during peak periods; it should not be taken as a uniform delay for all journeys through the area."

He called 18 months a "substantial period in the everyday life of a town centre", and said that the significance of this reconfiguration lies in how it changes residents' familiar routines.

"An additional journey time or a longer walk may be manageable occasionally, but when repeated over many months, it can place a real burden on people, particularly those with limited mobility or tight work and caregiving schedules," he said.

When asked what could be done to help older residents navigate the pedestrian diversions safely and conveniently, Asst Prof Chng said changes to familiar routes can pose both physical and psychological challenges.

"A familiar route allows someone to travel confidently and independently," he said, adding that even short detours can be demanding for those using walking aids or carrying groceries.

Engagement with affected residents before the changes take effect will be "very important", Asst Prof Chng said.

He suggested walking the diverted routes with older residents, wheelchair users and caregivers, as well as providing face-to-face explanations and printed maps alongside digital updates.

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陆路交通管理局表示，需要对宏茂桥3道进行临时交通重新配置，以方便后续的恢复工作。

2026年10月13日，宏茂桥3道沿线的地铁施工现场。（图片：CNA/Jeremy Long）

这段音频由人工智能工具生成。

新加坡：由于在跨岛线 (CRL) 隧道施工过程中发现意外障碍物，从 11 月 14 日起，宏茂桥枢纽 (AMK Hub) 周边的交通安排将进行重新调整，为期约 18 个月。

预计宏茂桥3道沿线的交通管制措施将持续到2028年5月。陆路交通管理局（LTA）于周五（10月16日）表示，将采取措施管理交通，尽量减少对驾车者、通勤者和居民造成的不便。

根据陆路交通管理局 (LTA) 的说法，18 个月的时间表是基于目前的评估，并可能随着恢复工作的进展而进行调整。

AMK Hub 与宏茂桥地铁站和巴士转换站相连。

为确保道路使用者的安全，并为调查和恢复工作提供足够的工作空间，宏茂桥3道的交通流量将发生变化。

从商场上下客点到宏茂桥8道交叉口之间的东行车道将改为公交车专用道。

相反方向，西行车道将从三车道减少到两车道。

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目前沿受影响的宏茂桥3道向东行驶的驾车者将不得不使用其他路线。

在早高峰期间，前往中央高速公路（CTE）的驾车者可以改走宏茂桥大道 1 或宏茂桥大道 5。

根据路线不同，预计这将使他们的行程增加一到五分钟。

陆路交通管理局表示，高峰时段前往宏茂桥枢纽的旅客应做好排队时间延长、出行时间增加 10 至 15 分钟的准备。

驾车人士仍可进入 AMK Hub 的地下停车场和上下客点，但上下客点的出入口安排将有所改变。

将会部署交通管理员和道路标志来引导驾驶员，同时也会通过他们的车载设备发送通知。

陆路交通管理局表示：“建议驾车人士提前规划行程，并遵守受影响区域的交通标志和指示。”

对于行人和公共交通乘客而言，前往宏茂桥3道沿线巴士站的通道不会受到影响，无障碍通行条件将得到保持。

然而，宏茂桥3道东行方向的人行道将封闭，行人需绕行宏茂桥中心（AMK Hub）。现有的人行横道也将迁址。

AMK Hub一侧通往人行天桥的地面通道也将关闭。商场营业时间内，行人可改从AMK Hub二楼前往天桥。

2026年10月13日，跨岛线沿宏茂桥3道施工现场。（图片：CNA/Jeremy Long）

在条件允许的情况下，将沿改道路线设置临时有顶连廊，并在人行横道处设置指示牌和方向地图。同时，还将安排交通引导员引导通勤者。

现场还将竖立告示，表明受影响地区的商家仍然可以正常营业。

陆路交通管理局表示，他们已就即将发生的变化与该地区的居民、行人和商家进行了沟通，并通过 Telegram 群聊分享了最新消息。

该部门补充说，变更生效后将对交通状况进行监测，如有必要将进行进一步调整。

“我们还将部署更多资源，并将在确保安全的前提下加快工程进度，”陆路交通管理局表示。

隧道工程暂停

在为建设跨海岸铁路宏茂桥站而进行的隧道施工中，发现了“意想不到的地面障碍物”，因此需要进行交通重新配置以方便恢复工作。

问题最早出现在五月份，当时隧道掘进机意外排出了“异物”。

工人们检查机器时发现，钢丝绳缠绕在刀盘上。他们移除了钢丝绳，更换了损坏的刀盘，隧道掘进工作得以继续进行。

然而，从5月到7月，为了清除隧道掘进机上的更多障碍物，总共进行了100次刀盘干预作业。在此期间，共取出约800公斤钢丝绳，并更换了22个损坏的刀盘。

陆路交通管理局表示，反复的检查表明，阻塞情况比最初评估的更为严重。

进一步调查发现，这些障碍物是宏茂桥 3 道下方的地锚。

地锚是钻入地下的钢结构，用于为挡土墙或其他结构提供临时支撑。

陆路交通管理局表示，如果在隧道施工过程中遇到这些障碍物，可能会损坏隧道掘进机的刀具，扰乱隧道施工，并对地下工程和地面道路构成重大安全风险。

陆路交通管理局已暂停隧道施工，目前正在调查障碍物的范围和成因，并评估这些障碍物对城际铁路建设工期的影响。

初步来看，陆路交通管理局需要采取一些恢复措施，包括进行地基改良工程，以加固和稳定隧道沿线的地基，之后隧道施工才能安全恢复。

在安全可控的隧道掘进过程中，隧道掘进机内部的障碍物将被逐步清除。

针对亚洲新闻台的询问，陆路交通管理局发言人表示，在重大基础设施项目开工之前，都会进行场地调查和工程评估，包括土壤调查钻孔。

然而，由于钻孔只能在特定的位置和间隔对地质条件进行采样，因此除非钻孔与细长的地锚相交，否则很难检测到它们。

此外，地下锚杆没有反映在现有记录或竣工图纸中，因此在隧道施工前没有被识别出来。

陆路交通管理局表示，目前没有迹象表明CRL隧道沿线其他地方存在类似的未登记的地面锚，这个问题仅限于此地点。

调查和工程评估正在进行中，同时也在评估成本影响。

“现阶段就推测责任归属或可能采取的行动还为时过早。陆路交通管理局将继续评估调查结果，并根据已查明的事实确定适当的下一步措施。”该机构表示。

颚式破碎机臂被电线卡住。（图片：陆路交通管理局）

声明还补充道：“居民、行人、驾车者和工人的安全仍然是我们的首要任务。

“恢复工作和交通重新配置是必要的，以确保在隧道施工活动继续进行之前，能够安全彻底地开展调查和工程评估。”

声明还补充说，该区域对公众而言仍然安全，在调查和恢复工作继续进行的同时，将密切监测 AMK Hub 及其周边地区的地质状况。

陆路交通管理局跨岛线集团董事吴俊扬表示，目前的当务之急是充分了解情况，并在隧道恢复施工前安全地解决障碍。

“我们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……感谢公众的理解和耐心，我们将随着恢复工作的进展及时向公众通报最新情况，”他补充道。

这是在跨岛线隧道施工期间，从隧道掘进机上拆卸下来的部分钢丝绳。2026年5月至7月期间，共拆卸了约800公斤钢丝绳。（图片：陆路交通管理局）

“可能造成真正的负担”

新加坡科技设计大学的研究助理教授张胜（Samuel Chng）表示，交通变化将给宏茂桥枢纽（AMK Hub）周围的剩余道路通行能力带来更大压力，预计一些路口会出现更长的排队，尤其是在高峰时段。

他还表示，改道后的交通也会在早高峰期间给通往 CTE 的其他路线带来额外的需求。

他补充说，虽然陆路交通管理局的评估表明，周边道路网络可以容纳分流的交通，但这并不意味着出行不会受到影响。

“很大程度上取决于各个路口的排队情况以及交通管理措施调整的速度，”他说。

“预计额外增加的 10 到 15 分钟专门针对高峰时段进入 AMK Hub 的驾车者；不应将其视为途经该地区所有行程的统一延误时间。”

他称 18 个月是“城镇中心日常生活中一段相当长的时期”，并表示，这种重新规划的意义在于它如何改变了居民熟悉的日常生活。

他说：“偶尔多花点时间或走更远的路或许还能应付，但如果几个月来反复发生，就会给人们带来真正的负担，特别是那些行动不便或工作和照顾家人时间很紧的人。”

当被问及如何帮助老年居民安全便捷地适应行人改道时，助理教授 Chng 表示，熟悉路线的改变可能会带来生理和心理上的挑战。

“熟悉的路线能让人自信、独立地出行，”他说，并补充说，即使是短暂的绕路，对于使用助行器或携带杂货的人来说也可能很困难。

助理教授庄表示，在变更生效前与受影响的居民进行沟通“非常重要”。

他建议陪同老年居民、轮椅使用者和护理人员步行走改道路线，并提供面对面的讲解和印刷地图，以及数字更新。

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