Yew Tee MRT Station, located in northwestern Singapore, lies between the Choa Chu Kang and the Kranji MRT stations on the North-South Line.1 It was constructed in the 1990s to serve the northern part of the expanded Choa Chu Kang town as part of the Woodlands extension. It is named after the Yew Tee Village, which used to be located near the site of the train station.2
History
Yew Tee MRT Station was named after the Yew Tee Village, which used to be located near Stagmont Ring Road, off Woodlands Road. Yew Tee means “oil pond” in Teochew.3 A total of 18,685 sq m of land between Yew Tee and Kranji MRT stations was acquired during the construction of the Woodlands MRT line, which affected 16 factories operating along the stretch.4
Description
With a kampong-style roof and clad in colours chosen to blend in with the surroundings, the Yew Tee MRT Station was officially opened on 10 February 1996 together with the rest of the Woodlands extension route. The S$1.3-billion rail line measuring a total of 16 km was opened by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.5 Facilities at the station include a station control room, extended call-zone areas, 42 bicycle stands, real-time electronic display boards, covered walkways to nearby buildings, four shopping units, conveniently located bus stops and a taxi stand.6
Soon after the opening of the MRT station, the Urban Redevelopment Authority released its development guide plan, with the vision to transform the Choa Chu Kang estate into a residential district. This included the construction of private and public housing developments, parks, recreational facilities, shopping amenities, schools and community facilities.7 A new sports complex was constructed in 2000 at a cost of S$58.5 million and this was followed by the opening of a five-storey community club that incorporates a day-care education centre and a neighbourhood police centre.8
Author
Naidu Ratnala Thulaja
References
1. “Better Layouts for Six New MRT Stations,” Straits Times, 19 November 1992, 22. (From NewspaperSG)
2. Kwan Chooi Tow, “Station Names for Woodlands Line Have Ties to Surroundings,” Straits Times, 20 November 1991, 3. (From NewspaperSG)
3. Kwan, “Station Names for Woodlands Line.
4. Yeow Pei Lin, “Factory Land along Woodlands MRT Line to Be Acquired,” Straits Times, 3 January 1996, 3. (From NewspaperSG)
5. Leong, Chan Teik, “Woodlands MRT Line to Open Next Month,” Straits Times, 14 January 1996, 1; Indrani Nadarajah and Julie Kee, “Residents Prepare for Easier Life with Woodlands MRT Line,” Straits Times, 21 January 1996, 24. (From NewspaperSG)
6. “Step Off the Bus and into the MRT Station,” Straits Times, 31 January 1996, 19; Cephah Tan, “More Retail Space for Woodlands MRT Stops,” Straits Times, 10 December 1992, 26. (From NewspaperSG)
7. Colin Tan, “URA to Turn Choa Chu Kang into Choice Residential District,” Straits Times, 17 May 1996, 64. (From NewspaperSG)
8. “Yew Tee to Get Sports Complex,” Straits Times, 17 September 1999, 45. (From NewspaperSG)
The information in this article is valid as of 2003 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
The information on this page and any images that appear here may be used for private research and study purposes only. They may not be copied, altered or amended in any way without first gaining the permission of the copyright holder.
Tanjong Pagar is a district located in the downtown southern tip of central Singapore. The once sleepy fishing village has been transformed into a vibrant business and commercial centre, just 40 years after the founding of modern Singapore. Today, Tanjong Pagar has one of the world's leading and most modern...
Shenton Way begins at the junction of Boon Tat Street, Raffles Quay and Commerce Street, and ends where it meets Keppel Road. It is part of “Golden Shoe”, the moniker given to an 80-acre plot of prime land in the heart of Singapore’s city centre. The shape of the area...
Liang Seah Street, located in the Civic District, links North Bridge Road with Beach Road. Built in the old European residential town during colonial times, it was named in 1927 after the well-known Teochew millionaire, Seah Liang Seah of Chin Choon and Chin Giap, a pineapple-canning venture. ...
The Alkaff Lake Gardens was located off MacPherson Road, at what is now the Sennett Estate and Cedar Girls’ Secondary School. The Japanese-styled garden was developed by Syed Shaik Alkaff of the Alkaff family. ...
Ann Siang Road in Chinatown begins from a road known as Ann Siang Hill and connects to Kadayanallur Street. It is named after Chia Ann Siang (1832?1892) who was a wealthy Chinese businessman. ...
Selegie Road is a continuation of Dhoby Ghaut that joins Serangoon Road. Selegie in Malay refers to a wooden spear sharpened and hardened by fire. Another variant spelling for selegie is seligi, which is the nibong palm used in flooring and fishing stakes. The area was probably named after a...
Ophir Road begins as an offshoot from Rochor Canal Road, and ends at Republic Boulevard at one point and East Coast Parkway at another point. It runs parallel to Rochor Road. Landmarks along the road include Raffles Hospital and the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. ...
The Cenotaph, located at Esplanade Park along Connaught Drive, is a war memorial which commemorates the sacrifice of men who perished during World War I and II. It was first unveiled on 31 March 1922 by the Prince of Wales (later Duke of Windsor and King Edward VIII). The war...
Pickering Street is located in the Downtown Core, within the Central Region. It was named after William Alexander Pickering, the first Protector of the Chinese, and head of the Chinese Protectorate. He was popular amongst the Chinese population for his ability to speak four Chinese dialects plus Mandarin. Pickering Street...
Chinatown is an estate located largely in the Outram area in the Central Region of Singapore. In his 1822 master Town Plan, Sir Stamford Raffles allocated the whole area west of the Singapore River for a Chinese settlement known as the Chinese Campong (kampong in Malay means “village”), envisaging the...