Friday, July 25, 2025

CR01 - Changi Terminal 5

 

A render of the Changi Terminal 5 station platform.
Source: Changi Airport Group

Today, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced the addition of a new station to the Cross Island Line (CRL), to be located at the line's eastern end. Tentatively named Changi Terminal 5, the station will allow transfers to be made to the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). The station will be built as part of the ground transportation centre (GTC) to be located at Changi Airport's Terminal 5 headhouse. We understand that the contract for the GTC, including the station, will be overseen by the Changi Airport Group. Pre-qualifications for the contract opened on 19 May and closed on 25 June.

The addition of Changi Terminal 5 station will see the CRL extended by a further 5.8 km and is expected to be completed in the mid-2030's.

This post will also be available on Instagram, Facebook and the ECL Construction blog.

Friday, July 18, 2025

CRL3 - Contracts CR3016, CR3018 & CR3019

22 June 2025 - A soil investigation rig for contract CR3016 near Jurong Pier station.

During the groundbreaking ceremony held for the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s phase 2 the Acting Minister for Transport, Mr. Jeffrey Siow, also alluded to the fact that studies on phase 3 of the line were nearly completed, with a potential announcement by year's end. You may watch his full speech here. Corresponding to his comments, we have also noted an uptick in the amount of advanced works that have been taking place along the alignment of this phase - notably pertaining to contracts CR3016, CR3018 & CR3019.

Monday, July 7, 2025

CRL2 Groundbreaking ceremony

7 July 2025 - A group photo with contractors of CRL2.

Today, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the official commencement of construction on phase 2 of the Cross Island Line (CRL). Connecting 6 stations over 15km of track, the section of line will see the expansion of Singapore's rail network reach areas in the west currently not well covered by the system. Notably, the future housing estate on the site of the former turf club will be served by the MRT and residents at West Coast will have a station to call their own. Also standing to benefit, students at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) will be served by the upcoming Maju station. Stations along this section of the line are Turf City, King Albert Park, Maju, Clementi, West Coast and Jurong Lake District. King Albert Park and Clementi stations will connect to the existing Downtown and East-West lines respectively, allowing convenient transfers for commuters.

Early works under the 9 contracts that make up phase 2 have already commenced, thus today's ceremony is more symbolic in nature. Some of the works that have begun include the demolition of existing structures at the project sites, utility diversions and construction of diaphragm walls for sections where excavation works will be required. The 9 contracts consist of 3 contracts for tunneling between stations and 6 contracts for the construction of stations, some which also include the construction of connecting tunnels.

A total of 11 tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be required to complete tunneling works along this section of the line, one of which is already busy at work under contract CR202. TBM Jane, launched in May 2025, is a large diameter TBM that will construct the tunnels connecting Turf City station with Bright Hill station on phase 1 of the line. This tunnel will undercross the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) without disturbing the surface, a decision that was not undertaken lightly when the line was first planned. Due to concerns from nature groups and other communities, studies were initiated to weigh the benefits of pursuing the direct route over an alternative route avoiding the CCNR entirely. Ultimately, following the studies conducted, the direct route through the CCNR was selected, albeit with some adjustments to the work areas to mitigate impact to the flora and fauna found within the reserve.

In addition to the symbolic start of construction along the second phase, the Minister for Transport - Mr. Jeffrey Siow - also officiated the opening of the phase's Project Information Centre (PIC). Located in Clementi and next to the project site, the PIC serves to allow the community to learn more about the project and its development. On display is a model of the upcoming Clementi station and exhibits of the contracts under this phase of the line. Similar PICs exist in Hougang for Phase 1 of the line and in Punggol for the Punggol extension section.

7 July 2025 - Opening plaque

The PIC will be open to the public from 8 July 2025. Operating hours will be 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Walk-ins are allowed, but booking an appointment through a link to be released is encouraged.

We look forward to the continued progress along CRL2 with the phase officially underway. May the project be completed safely & in a timely manner.

Saturday, July 5, 2025

CPE - A snapshot in June 2025

An overview of Riviera & Punggol stations along the CPE in June 2025.

Having missed out covering the remaining 2 stations along the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s Punggol Extension (CPE) in the CRL May 2025 snapshot, we visited these station sites in June to catch up. The sites were hives of activities, especially with a major road diversion at the junction of Punggol Central & Punggol Place being implemented this past month. More details after the jump.