First announced in May 1982 as Chai Cheestation, it was renamed to Bedok station and was confirmed to be part of Phase II of the MRT system. It commenced operations on 4 November 1989 along with other stations on the eastern stretch of the line. Half-height platform screen doors were installed at the station in 2012, along with High volume low speed fans that following year.
Built with a domed roof and an island platform layout on the top floor, the station is two-storyes tall with its ticketing office on the ground floor. It is connected to its exits by underground passageways. As a part of SMRT's heritage-themed public art display, there is a mural that details the history and landmarks of Bedok.
History
Platform level of Bedok station
Bedok station was first included in the initial plans of the MRT system as Chai Chee station in May 1982.[5] It was later confirmed to be part of Phase II of the MRT as Bedok station in October 1983.[6]
There were several joint ventures between companies that prequalified for Contract 304 by May 1985, which detailed the construction of this station, Kembangan station, and the construction of 3.2km of rail viaducts as well as a 575m underground cut-and-cover tunnel between Jalan Senang and Siglap/New Upper Changi Road junction.[7][8] The contract was ultimately awarded to a partnership between the Obayashi Corporation and Resources Development Pte Ltd in January 1986 for S$70 million (1986) (US$32.15 million).[9] Work began in March 1986.[10] In order for the station to be constructed, New Upper Changi Road had to be widen.[11] Bedok MRT station opened on 4 November 1989 along with all other EWL stations from Bugis to Tanah Merah.[12][13] After its opening, it was reported that the lack of a sheltered walkway to the bus interchange caused "passengers [to be] trapped at the station... [which caused] overcrowding".[2] Construction for a sheltered walkway started on October 1991, with an expected completion date of May 1992.[14]
Safety
In January 1988, during the construction of the station, a schoolgirl fell through a gap in the pavement at New Upper Changi Road that led to a 4m deep drain. Barriers put up by the station's concracters around the gap earlier had been removed. The pavement subsequently had its gap covered up by a metal sheet.[15]
In September 2000, a 70-year old man was ran over by an eastbound train outside of the station. The driver did see the man and applied emergency breaks, though it was too late.[16]
As with most of the elevated stations along the East-West line, the station was initially built without platform screen doors. Following a rise in track intrusions as well as commuters slipping when rushing for the train, the LTA and SMRT decided to install platform screen doors.[17] After several successful tests at Jurong East, Yishun and Pasir Ris, half-height platform screen doors were eventually installed and commenced operations at Chinese Garden station by March 2012.[18] The station was installed with high-volume low-speed fans by the first quarter of 2013.[19]
It is a two-story elevated station with a ticketing office on the ground floor and an island platform on the elevated floor.[11] It has three underground exits primarily serving the Bedok Mall, Bedok Bus Interchange and the eponymous hawker centre, Heartbeat@Bedok, and Bedok Point.[23] It has often been described as one of the busiest stations on the Eastern portion of the EWL.[2][3] In fact, during its opening day, 17,614 people entered the station by 8pm.[4]
A subway exit of the station
Like many EWL stations in the East, Bedok station has a dome-shaped roof.[24] The platform is also column free so that it gives commuters "maximum visibility of the area and ease of movement".[25] Additionally, as a part of SMRT's heritage-themed artwork showcase Comic Connect, the station features a mural created by students from ASPN Katong school.[26] The mural showcases Bedok's history and landmarks such as the Bedok Reservoir, Opera and Frankel residential estates, and Simpang Bedok (a former village turned food hub).[27]
