The Eu Tong Sen Canal running through the station site had to be dismantled and diverted into four steel pipes to connect the unaffected parts of the canal. Initially, it was considered to use steel beams to support the canal during ground excavation and the station's construction, but this would risk damaging the canal, causing the site to flood. The more time-consuming and expensive alternative to divert the canal into the diameter pipes would minimise such risks and allow sufficient space for the construction machinery. Going with this alternative, the drainage diversion became one of the largest in Singapore. The pipes were suspended below the temporary road decking. After the station's construction, the canal, now wider and deeper, was rebuilt above the station.