So far, four of the so-called Road-Rail Vehicles have arrived. They will mechanise the replacement of sleepers (thick timber planks on which rail tracks rest), a process that has been largely manual till now.
Get the full story from The Straits Times.
Here is the press release from SMRT:
SMRT Accelerates Track Renewal with Specialised Engineering Vehicles
SMRT is pleased to announce that the company is making steady progress in its sleeper replacement programme. Specialized machinery, known as "Road-Rail Vehicles" (RRVs), have been mobilised to accelerate the programme. Originally scheduled for completion by 2019, the pace of replacement along both North-South and East-West Lines are expected to accelerate as more RRVs are deployed and utilized over the next few months, so that the work can be completed by 2016.
Sleeper replacement is a key component in SMRT's efforts to upgrade and renew the network. Upon completion of the replacement, passengers will be able to enjoy enhanced system reliability and smoother rides. Since the commencement of the Sleeper Replacement Programme in November 2012, about 10 per cent of a total of 188,000 sleepers along the North-South-East-West Lines have been replaced.
These 10 per cent include the interim timber-to-timber replacement of high priority deteriorated sleepers throughout the NSEWL network. In addition to concrete sleeper replacement programme, SMRT has taken the initiative to conduct "hotspot" sleeper replacements-these involve timber sleepers that are deemed to be in more severe condition, requiring timely replacement. Speed restrictions are also imposed on certain stretches of the track as part of our safety measures.
The recent commencement of concrete sleeper replacement programme along the Marsiling and Sembawang track sector saw the introduction of RRVs to increase productivity. Concrete sleepers are used to replace timber ones as they are sturdier and have twice the lifespan. The use of RRVs helps to accelerate the sleeper replacement schedule.
SMRT Trains Executive Vice President Lee Ling Wee said: "The key challenge in this undertaking is the limited non-service maintenance window of only three to four hours each day. As such, we seek the understanding and patience of commuters and general public as we do our very best to complete the programme with minimal impact to our train services."
Sleeper replacement works are currently taking place along the stretches between Yew Tee and Yishun MRT stations, Bukit Batok and Jurong East MRT stations, Clementi and Jurong East MRT stations, Queenstown and Redhill MRT stations, Eunos and Aljunied MRT stations, as well as Tanah Merah and Simei MRT stations. During these times, trains may be travelling at a slower speed over the affected areas.
The sleeper replacement schedule is updated regularly.
Here is a posting on SMRT's Facebook:
We have just crossed the one-year mark on a nationwide sleeper replacement project across the NSEW Line! A ground-breaking effort involving the use of machinery to replace timber sleepers with more resilient concrete sleepers, is underway. The entire project is now due to complete by 2016, instead of 2019. We strive to minimise inconvenience to the community during our course of work, but your understanding and cooperation would go a long way in helping us to keep you on track.