First announced in May 1982 as Corporation station, it was to be constructed as part of Phase II of the MRT system. The name was later changed in 1984 to better reflect its location. It commenced operations on 5 November 1988 along with the other stations of Phase II. As a feature of the station, the curved roof supported by decorative red and green beams took inspiration from traditional Chinese architecture. There is also a heritage-themed mural that displays the history of landmarks near the station.
History
The station was first announced in October 1983 to be part of Phase II of the MRT system as Corporation station.[5] However, in September of 1984, it was renamed to Lakeside to tentatively reflect its location better.[6]
Several joint ventures between companies were prequalified for Contract 404 by May 1985, which detailed the construction of a viaduct from Jurong to Lakeside stations, including Lakeside.[7][8] Ultimately, the contract was awarded to a joint venture between the Aoki Corporation and Lim Kim Ngah Construction for $64.75 million in November 1985[9] while the subcontract for the supply of post-tension cables and pre-cast beams during the construction of the viducts was awarded to Swiss-Singaporean company VSL Systems in July 1986.[10] The contract for the design of the station's Chinese-style roof was awarded to Parson Brinckerhoff Asia Ltd and Maunsell Consultants in September 1985 as a part of a $3.6 million contract to give the Phase II MRT stations an "ethnic touch".[11] A week before the opening, there was an open house event for the Jurong stretch of the EWL, which included Lakeside station.[12] The station was opened on 5 November 1988 as part of the first portion of Phase II of the MRT system.[13] A primary school band performed in the station as a part of the opening ceremony.[14]
After its opening, there was an issue with the station; the lack of an orderly taxi system. It was reported that many commuters would engage in queue-cutting as well as taxis haphazardly stopping in the middle of the road to pick up commuters and motorists picking up/dropping off people at the station's entrance despite there being a designated pick-up point at Yuan Ching Road.[15] The issue was promptly fixed by relocating the taxi stand from Yuan Ching Road to the main entrance of the station.[16]
Lakeside station was the first batch of ten stations announced in 2010 to have additional bicycle parking facilities[a] as a response to the growing demand of bicycle parking spots.[17] The installation was completed in October 2012.[18] As with most of the above-ground stations built in the past along the East–West line, it was 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.[19] After several successful tests at Jurong East, Yishun, and Pasir Ris, half-height platform screen doors were eventually installed and commenced operations at Lakeside station by March 2012.[20]High-volume low-speed fans were installed and commenced operation by the first quarter of 2013.[21]
Noise barriers were installed on the viaducts from Lakeside MRT station to Corporation Road by CKT Thomas Pte Ltd[22] as part of $17 million contract awarded in January 2015 to reduce sounds generated by trains.[23] It was installed by 2018. Another set of noise barriers were designed installed by PBT Engineering Pte Ltd as part of contract awarded in October 2018.[24] The barriers were expected to be installed between the third quarter of 2020 and 2023[25] on the viaducts running from Jurong West Central 2 to Jalan Boon Lay.[26]
Design
The roof of Lakeside station
Lakeside station is on the EWL with the station code EW26, between Chinese Garden and Boon Lay stations.[27] Operated by SMRT Trains, the station alongside Boon Lay Way[28] and has three exits primarily serving the Hong Kah and Taman Jurong residential precincts. It also serves amenities such as Yuan Ching Secondary school, HDB Jurong West Branch, and Hong Kah South Neighborhood Police Post (NPP).[29]
A feature of the station, the curved roof is based on traditional Chinese architecture. The roof was a part of SMRT's idea to give the stations an "ethnic touch".[11] Specifically, the designer of the station Scott Danielson of Parson Brinckerhoff said that "the more [he traveled], the more disturbed [he became by] architects failing to reflect their own culture" and therefore incorporated a Chinese roof design due to the station's proximity to the Chinese Garden.[30] The design is noted to be similar to the nearby Chinese Garden station, whose roof is held by "chili-green and hongbao-red" decorative beams.[12] Additionally, there is also a mural created by local artist Anthony Chong as a part of SMRT's heritage-themed Comic Connect.[31] The mural displays the history of different landmarks such as Jurong Lake, Old Jurong Fire Station, and the former Taman Jurong Camp (where Singapore's first batch of national servicemen were enlisted).[32]
