Marina Coastal Expressway Contract 485

Singapore’s Marina Bay area is being developed as a major destination for business, arts and entertainment and living. To support the anticipated increase in transit volume generated by the area the Singapore Land Transport Authority has added to a new network of expressways. The new Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) will connect the eastern and western parts of Singapore with the new Marina Bay development.

The MCE is a 5 km (3.1 mi.), dual 5-lane expressway including a 700 m (2300 ft.) undersea vehicular tunnel. At its deepest point the undersea tunnel is 20 m (66 ft.) under the seabed and 150 m away from the Marina Barrage reservoir (where large amounts of water are let in and out of from time to time). The construction of the tunnel section posed serious engineering and waterproofing challenges.

Solution

Contract 485 (the undersea vehicular tunnel) was awarded to Penta-Ocean Construction. Penta reviewed the available concrete waterproofing options and determined that Kryton’s Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM) met all the requirements needed for the job. KIM is proven to stand-up to 140 m (460 ft.) of head pressure so it is able to keep the tunnel watertight at 20 m (66 ft.) below sea level even with the changing water pressure from the opening and closing of the Marina Barrage. KIM was used to waterproof over 30,000 m3 (40,000 yd.3) of concrete in phase one of the tunnel. Together with the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort & Casino and the Crystal Pavilions, the MCE undersea vehicular tunnel is the fourth major structure relying on KIM for protection in the Marina Bay area.