Springleaf MRT station

{{Stack|float=right|

File:TE4 Springleaf MRT construction DJI 0040.jpg

File:TE4 Springleaf MRT Exit 2 20210928 185644.jpg

File:TE4 Springleaf MRT Exit 3 20211109 182059.jpg

}}

The station was first announced as part of the 22-station Thomson Line (TSL) on 29 August 2012.{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Royston |date=29 August 2012 |title=New Thomson MRT line to open from 2019, and have 22 stations |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/new-thomson-mrt-line-open-2019-and-have-22-stations-20120829 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829233715/http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/new-thomson-mrt-line-open-2019-and-have-22-stations-20120829 |archive-date=29 August 2012 |access-date=30 June 2021 |website=The Straits Times}}{{Cite web |date=30 August 2012 |title=Thomson Line to open from 2019 with 22 stations |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1222777/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830140407/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1222777/1/.html |archive-date=30 August 2012 |access-date=30 June 2021 |website=Channel NewsAsia (CNA)}} In November 2013, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) awarded Contract T208 for the design and construction of Springleaf Station and associated tunnels to Leighton Contractors (Asia) Limited (Singapore Branch) – John Holland Pty Ltd Joint Venture (JV) at {{SGDConvert|383|m|year=2013|showdate=no|r=1}}. The station's construction began in 2014, with a scheduled completion date of 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2013/11/2/lta-awards-two-contracts-for-thomson-lines-springleaf-and-upper-thomson-stations.html|title=LTA Awards Two Contracts for Thomson Line's Springleaf and Upper Thomson Stations|date=13 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213085033/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2013/11/2/lta-awards-two-contracts-for-thomson-lines-springleaf-and-upper-thomson-stations.html|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=13 February 2020|publisher=Land Transport Authority }}{{cite web | title=Construction of Springleaf Station and Tunnel for Thomson-East Coast Line Contract T208 | publisher=Leighton Asia | date=13 September 2018 | url=https://www.leightonasia.com/en/projects/current/springleaf-station-and-tunnel-for-thomson-east-coast-line | access-date=17 January 2021 | archive-date=17 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117053735/https://www.leightonasia.com/en/projects/current/springleaf-station-and-tunnel-for-thomson-east-coast-line | url-status=live }}

Another contract for the construction of bored tunnels from Seletar Expressway to Springleaf station (alongside other facilities) was awarded to Shimizu Corporation at a sum of S$189.8 million (US${{ToUSD|189.8|Singapore|year=2014|r=1}} million) in January 2014.{{cite web | title=Civil Contract Awarded for the Construction of Thomson Line's Tunnels to Springleaf Station | publisher=Land Transport Authority | date=24 January 2014 | url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2014/1/2/civil-contract-awarded-for-the-construction-of-thomson-lines-tunnels-to-springleaf-station.html | access-date=17 October 2021 | archive-date=17 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017072348/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2014/1/2/civil-contract-awarded-for-the-construction-of-thomson-lines-tunnels-to-springleaf-station.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=2nd Pre-qualification Notice For Thomson Line: Civil Contract T207 |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/tender/doc/4162/T207_2nd%20Pre-Q%20Brochure_upload.pdf |publisher=Land Transport Authority |access-date=17 October 2021 |archive-date=2 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102033342/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/tender/doc/4162/T207_2nd%20Pre-Q%20Brochure_upload.pdf |url-status=live }} On 15 August 2014, the LTA announced that the TSL would merge with the Eastern Region Line to form the Thomson–East Coast Line (TEL). Springleaf station, part of the proposed line, would be constructed as part of TEL 2, consisting of six stations between this station and Caldecott.{{Cite web |date=19 August 2014 |title=Joint News Release by the Land Transport Authority & Singapore Land Authority – Thomson-East Coast Line: New MRT Links in the East |url=http://app.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=3cc2e460-06ea-4245-a37f-df11b602ec7d |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084445/http://app.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=3cc2e460-06ea-4245-a37f-df11b602ec7d |archive-date=19 August 2014 |access-date=13 February 2020|publisher=Land Transport Authority }}{{Cite web |date=13 February 2020 |title=Thomson–East Coast Line |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/upcoming_projects/rail_expansion/thomson_east_coast_line.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213075700/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/upcoming_projects/rail_expansion/thomson_east_coast_line.html |archive-date=13 February 2020 |access-date=13 February 2020 |publisher=Land Transport Authority }}

Springleaf station was built only {{convert|7|m|ft|spell=in}} away from the shophouses located along Upper Thomson Road.{{Cite web |date=16 August 2021 |title='More than a day to bore through 10cm of rock': Making Stage 2 of the Thomson-East Coast Line a reality |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/thomson-east-coast-line-making-stage-2-reality-lta-2114226 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828074607/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/thomson-east-coast-line-making-stage-2-reality-lta-2114226 |archive-date=28 August 2021 |access-date=3 October 2021 |website=CNA}} To minimise ground movement and any damage to the shophouses, cement was mixed into the ground while an earth-retaining stabilising structure was installed to strengthen the soil. Cranes and heavy machinery had to be carefully installed, with restricted movements to avoid endangering the shophouses and patrons. Barriers were installed to minimise noise pollution, and workers draped noise curtains on heavy machinery.{{Cite web |last=Toh|first=Ting Wei |date=16 August 2021 |title=Treading a fine line in building Thomson-East Coast Line stations |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/treading-a-fine-line-in-building-thomson-east-coast-line-stations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828080153/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/treading-a-fine-line-in-building-thomson-east-coast-line-stations |archive-date=28 August 2021 |access-date=3 October 2021 |website=The Straits Times}} Meanwhile, the LTA collaborated closely with the power supplier PowerGrid to construct a cable tunnel through the station.{{Cite web |date=17 January 2020 |title=Factsheet: Progress Update on Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 2 |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2020/1/news-releases/Factsheet_progress_update_TEL_stage_two.html |access-date=3 October 2021 |publisher=Land Transport Authority |archive-date=3 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003120218/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2020/1/news-releases/Factsheet_progress_update_TEL_stage_two.html |url-status=live }}

With restrictions imposed on construction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the TEL 2 completion date was pushed to 2021.{{Cite web |date=4 September 2020 |title=Second stage of Thomson-East Coast Line to open early 2021 after delays due to COVID-19: Ong Ye Kung |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-second-stage-of-tel-to-open-early-2021-delay-13083284 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913075617/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-second-stage-of-tel-to-open-early-2021-delay-13083284 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |access-date=4 September 2020 |website=CNA |language=en}} On 14 December 2020, it was announced that the opening of TEL 2 had been delayed to the third quarter of 2021 so the rail system software for the line could be reviewed.{{Cite web |last=Ho |first=Grace |date=14 December 2020 |title=Stage 2 of Thomson-East Coast Line to be delayed by another six months to Q3 2021: LTA |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/stage-2-of-thomson-east-coast-line-to-be-delayed-by-another-six-months-to-q3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217125359/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/stage-2-of-thomson-east-coast-line-to-be-delayed-by-another-six-months-to-q3 |archive-date=17 December 2020 |access-date=14 December 2020 |website=The Straits Times}}{{Cite web |date=14 December 2020 |title=Stage 2 of Thomson-East Coast Line to be delayed by another six months |url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/transport/stage-2-of-thomson-east-coast-line-to-be-delayed-by-another-six-months |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217124647/https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/transport/stage-2-of-thomson-east-coast-line-to-be-delayed-by-another-six-months |archive-date=17 December 2020 |access-date=17 December 2020 |website=The Business Times}}{{Cite web |date=14 December 2020 |title=Second stage of Thomson-East Coast Line further delayed to third quarter next year |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/second-stage-thomson-east-coast-line-further-delayed-q3-13770372 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217124747/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/second-stage-thomson-east-coast-line-further-delayed-q3-13770372 |archive-date=17 December 2020 |access-date=17 December 2020 |website=CNA}} As announced during a visit by Transport Minister S. Iswaran at Caldecott station on 30 June 2021,{{Cite web |last=Abdullah |first=Zhaki |date=30 June 2021 |title=Second stage of Thomson-East Coast Line to begin operations on Aug 28 |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/thomson-east-coast-line-stage-2-open-aug-28-six-mrt-stations-15122660 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630033627/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/thomson-east-coast-line-stage-2-open-aug-28-six-mrt-stations-15122660 |archive-date=30 June 2021 |access-date=30 June 2021 |website=CNA}} the station began operations on 28 August 2021.{{Cite web |last=Begum |first=Shabana |date=28 August 2021 |title=Commuters on first trains at new TEL2 stations reminisce about inaugural 1980s MRT rides |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/commuters-on-first-trains-at-new-tel2-stations-reminisce-inaugural-1980s-mrt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828191125/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/commuters-on-first-trains-at-new-tel2-stations-reminisce-inaugural-1980s-mrt |archive-date=28 August 2021 |access-date=29 August 2021 |website=The Straits Times}}

The King of Malaysia Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor visited the station on 7 May 2024 during his state visit to Singapore.{{cite web | last=Ting | first=Wong Pei | title=Malaysia's King wraps up state visit to S'pore with focus on connections and connectivity | website=The Straits Times | date=7 May 2024 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/malaysia-s-king-wraps-up-state-visit-to-s-pore-with-focus-on-connections-and-connectivity | access-date=8 May 2024}}{{cite web | title=King, Queen Briefed on Progress of RTS Link Project in Singapore | website=Bernama| date=22 November 2020 | url=https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2295195 | access-date=8 May 2024}}

Springleaf station serves the TEL of the Singapore MRT system. Between the Woodlands South and Lentor stations, the official station code is TE4.{{Cite web |title=MRT System Map |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/pdf/tel2_sm-20-03-en-exp.pdf |access-date=3 October 2021 |publisher=Land Transport Authority |archive-date=3 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903005548/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/pdf/tel2_sm-20-03-en-exp.pdf |url-status=live }} Being part of the TEL, the station is operated by SMRT Trains;{{Cite web|title=Getting Around – Public Transport – Rail Network|url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101093543/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network.html|archive-date=1 November 2019|access-date=27 April 2021|publisher=Land Transport Authority }} train frequencies on the TEL range from 3 to 6 minutes.{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Nian Tjoe |date=5 March 2024 |title=TEL Stage 4 from Tanjong Rhu to Bayshore to open for passenger service on June 23 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/tel-stage-4-from-tanjong-rhu-to-bayshore-to-open-for-passenger-service-on-june-23 |access-date=7 February 2025 |website=The Straits Times}}

The station has three entrances that serve the Springleaf Nature Park, Thong Soon residential estate and the shophouses along Upper Thomson Road.{{Cite web |title=Springleaf – Exits |url=http://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/springleaf/exits/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210928123809/http://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/springleaf/exits/ |archive-date=28 September 2021 |access-date=3 October 2021 |website=SMRT Journeys }}{{cite web | title=Factsheet: Thomson–East Coast Line Stage 2 to Welcome Commuters from 28 August 2021 | publisher=Land Transport Authority | date=28 August 2021 | url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2021/8/news-releases/TEL2_to_welcome_commuters_from_28Aug21.html | access-date=30 October 2021 | archive-date=30 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030072549/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2021/8/news-releases/TEL2_to_welcome_commuters_from_28Aug21.html | url-status=live }} The station will also serve future housing developments in the area.{{cite web | last=Ng | first=Keng Gene | title=Natural and built heritage to be conserved as Springleaf forested area is developed | website=The Straits Times | date=6 June 2022 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/natural-and-built-heritage-to-be-conserved-as-springleaf-forested-area-is-developed | access-date=13 June 2022}}

The Art-in-Transit artwork for the station Tree of Memories is displayed on the station's lift shaft. The artwork depicts shophouses in the vicinity enveloped by a banyan tree that can be seen at the nearby Springleaf Nature Park,{{Cite web |last=Wei |first=Toh Ting |date=20 August 2021 |title=Unique designs, seats with backrest among features at new Thomson-East Coast Line stations |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/unique-designs-seats-with-backrest-among-features-at-new-thomson-east-coast-line |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828074555/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/unique-designs-seats-with-backrest-among-features-at-new-thomson-east-coast-line |archive-date=28 August 2021 |access-date=3 October 2021 |website=The Straits Times}}{{Cite web |date=20 August 2021 |title=Banyan trees and bulbuls: How Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 2 stations were inspired by nature |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/thomson-east-coast-line-mrt-stations-inspired-nature-2125766 |access-date=3 October 2021 |website=CNA |archive-date=28 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828074555/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/thomson-east-coast-line-mrt-stations-inspired-nature-2125766 |url-status=live }} intended to illustrate the "spatial connection" between people and nature.{{cite web | title=Art in Transit | publisher=Land Transport Authority | url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/a_better_public_transport_experience/art_in_transit.html | access-date=17 February 2022 | archive-date=23 January 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123132351/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/a_better_public_transport_experience/art_in_transit.html#collapse-content-tab_yellow_new_1121001231-ThomsonEastCoastLine | url-status=live }}

{{reflist}}

• {{commonscat-inline|Springleaf MRT Station}}

{{Singapore MRT stations|thomson=yes}}

Category:Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore) stations

Category:Railway stations in Singapore opened in 2021