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Ushering in a New Era in Southeast Asian Construction

‘Technology, Not the Lowest Bid, Is the Key’: Site Manager Sang Hyeon Jeong

 

“Our Singaporean client was impressed by our accident-free completion of two highly challenging mega-projects.”

Site Manager Sang Hyeon Jeong, whom we met at the Thompson-East Coast Line T308 project site near Marine Parade Road in southeastern Singapore, is a seasoned expert in Singaporean civil works, who previously led the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) C482 project to success.

Jeong commented that the company was able to secure the T308 project, an endeavor deemed extremely difficult, because it had, over the years, accumulated trust with the client who recognized Ssangyong E&C’s technological prowess highlighted by the completion of the Downtown Line C921 and MCE C482 projects.

It is notable that even though Ssangyong E&C was the third lowest bidder, its capacity to carry out high-quality construction projects earned it the contract.

“We were able to beat our rivals because we received high scores in non-price categories, such as the technology category, despite the fact that we were not the lowest bidder,” Jeong explained.

As if to prove this, during the opening ceremony for the Downtown Line (DTL), Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore, mentioned the extreme engineering challenges surrounding the construction of DTL C921 and its successful completion by Ssangyong E&C.

 

 ◆Thompson-East Coast Line T308 to Be Completed in 2023

Ssangyong E&C is currently working on the construction of the Thompson-East Coast Line Section T308, which covers the 1.78-kilometer stretch between Marine Terrace and Siglap MRT Stations.

For a 340-meter segment surrounding an MRT station, the open-cut method was employed. From this station site to the Siglap MRT Station, a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is being used. A TBM is a circular-shaped tunneling machine that moves forward while excavating. It is equipped with a cutter head (featuring multiple disk cutters) that crushes rocks while rotating.

The client is the Land Transport Authority (LTA) Singapore. The project will last seven years and one month, from January 2016 to February 2023. Valued at KRW 303.2 billion (approximately USD 261 million), Section T308 is being constructed by a joint venture consisting of Ssangyong E&C (as the main contractor with a 75-percent share) and Hyundai E&C.

 

■ Ssangyong E&C’s Technology Enables the Highest Level of Construction
Section T308 is considered among the most challenging sections of the new MRT line due to its weak ground, its proximity to apartment complexes and schools, and a lack of space on site to keep equipment.

To tackle the issue of limited space at the T308 site, the top-down method was applied for excavation works. Enabling an underground structure to be built from top to bottom, the method reduced noise and dust while securing additional space.

Since the site was situated near schools and residential areas, the top-down method, which produces less noise, was particularly relevant.

Unlike in Korea, downtown area construction in Singapore requires that the existing ground transportation network be maintained intact. To meet this need, a detour has been installed.

Advanced technologies have been used to construct a detour as the process required careful identification and handling of power lines and water pipes underground.

“The project site is particularly problematic due to its weak ground as well as its cramped space that makes it difficult to relocate infrastructure while maintaining the required number of traffic lanes,” said Jeong. “In particular, as the site is located in a densely populated residential area, the Singaporean Government is sensitive about public complaints of noise and dust pollution. That being the case, we are working hard to minimize such complaints by applying advanced construction methods.”

He stated that the project team was especially serious about ensuring safety and that preventing accidents takes precedence over meeting deadlines. As a matter of fact, Section T308 has maintained its accident-free record since its groundbreaking in 2016.

“Once Section T308 is completed, the MRT will connect the eastern end of Singapore (Changi) and the downtown area, providing enhanced convenience to the public,” Jeong said.