The cut-and-cover tunnels between Tanjong Rhu and Katong Park was constructed only 37 cm (1.21 ft) above the Kallang–Paya Lebar Expressway.

A designated Civil Defence shelter, the two-level station has a side platform configuration and a colour scheme of grey, white and brown.

On 15 August 2014, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that Tanjong Rhu station would be part of the proposed Thomson East–Coast line (TEL).

[6] The contract includes the construction of 1 kilometre (0.62 miles) of cut-and-cover tunnels and a substation which will power the TEL tracks.

[10] Steel sheet piles and barrettes were driven 36 m (118 ft) into the ground to retain the earth and ensure the stability of both tunnels.

[24] Telinga Ekologi Kita by Bani Haykal is displayed at this station as part of the Art-in-Transit programme, a showcase of public artworks on the MRT network.

Haykal was inspired by the British's plans to install acoustic mirrors in Singapore that would detect enemy aircraft during World War I,[26] but this was abandoned due to interference of biophonic activity.