Next station - Turf City

Last week the Land Transport Authority (LTA) released the Phase 2 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the route of the Cross Island Line (CRL) through the central catchment nature reserve (CCNR). The report detailed the construction methods and locations of the construction sites for two alignment options through and around the nature reserve.

Part of the report includes graphical representation of the route alignment options. Directions on either end of the alignment diagrams show the approximate locations of the stations. In the eastward direction "To Sin Ming" is shown, where Bright Hill station is located. Towards the west, "To Turf City" is used. This should correlate to a station being built in the vicinity of the former Turf Club in Bukit Timah.

Alignment option 1 through the CCNR.
Source: LTA EIA

Alignment option 2 around the CCNR.
Source: LTA EIA

Contract tendering process begins

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has recently released tenders for 2 contracts as part of the Cross Island Line (CRL) civil works, beginning the process for release of all 17 expected civil works contracts. Contract CR101 for the Design and Construction of Changi East depot was released on 16 August 2019, followed by contract CR105 for the Design and Construction of a large single bore tunnel from Aviation Park station to Loyang station on 23 August 2019.

This marks the first time that LTA has explored the use of a large-diameter tunnel boring machine to create a single bore tunnel between stations. All MRT projects prior have used twin bored tunnels which are essentially separate tubes for each track direction. A single large bore on the other hand will utilise a single tube tunnel with dividing wall to separate the two tracks.

Cross section of CRL single bore tunnel. Visible are the overhead rigid catenary supports, tunnel dividing wall and other
ancillary structures.
Source: Christian Arellano

Soil Investigation: Maju

The second stage of soil investigation works have commenced on phase 2 of the Cross Island Line (CRL). This involves further testing of areas identified during the first stage in order to obtain a more accurate understanding of the soil consistency. Contact C1066 was awarded by the Land Transport Authority on 12 December 2018 to Kwang Sing Engineering Pte Ltd. The company has previously conducted soil investigation work for portions of phase 1 of the CRL. This contract is due for completion by 24 October 2021.

Contract C1066 detail.

One of the first areas where soil investigation works under this contract has been spotted is opposite Maju camp along Clementi Road. Currently, two soil investigation rigs are located in the forested area.

Pre-construction - Bright Hill

Prior to construction beginning on the Cross Island Line (CRL), here are some images of the area before changes begin. The station will be located under the main thoroughfare of Sin Ming Avenue.

25 April 2019

Pre-construction - Ang Mo Kio

We take a look at the area around Ang Mo Kio station prior to the commencement of construction for the Cross Island Line.

24 April 2019

URA Draft Master Plan 2019 - Potential airport extension

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) launched the Draft Master Plan 2019 (DMP 2019) last month, providing a view of developments to come across the country. As part of the DMP 2019, improvements to various regions were planned and listed out on the URA website for public viewing. Among these regions is Changi, where the upcoming Terminal 5 of the airport is being developed. As part of the plans outlined, improved rapid transit network coverage is one of the key areas being looked into.

An excerpt from the URA website detailing plans for the Changi region.
Source: URA

CRL1 : Pre-qualification for contracts

Last week the Land Transport Authority (LTA) released the tender for pre-qualification of civil contracts for phase 1 of the Cross Island Line (CRL1). The pre-qualification is for 15 civil contracts which involve various types of construction - depot construction, tunnel construction, station construction or a combination of any of the three. Contracts run from CR101 to CR117, skipping any numbers with '4' included - standard practice for LTA contract numbering since the Nicoll Highway incident.

We take a look at the expected contract boundaries for the 15 civil works contracts currently under pre-qualification.

Credit: y2koh