Soil Investigation: Pasir Ris

A map showing the corridor of the Cross Island Line (CRL).
Source: LTA

Besides serving Punggol, the Cross Island Line (CRL) will also serve Pasir Ris. It is envisaged that Pasir Ris would see up to 3 new MRT stations serving the various neighbourhoods with new rail links. In December 2016 we noted several boreholes around Pasir Ris which are potentially related to the CRL pre-construction works. For the purpose of identifying the districts within Pasir Ris, we will refer to the sections as Elias, Pasir Ris Central and Pasir Ris East.

Spread of soil investigation boreholes around Elias Road

Coming in from Punggol on the west, the first spread of boreholes are noted around the Elias district. The boreholes line both sides of Elias Road with new soil investigation rigs also being spotted. From Elias Road the majority of the boreholes can be spotted along Pasir Ris Drive 1.

A soil investigation borehole along Pasir Ris Drive 1 near the Livia condominium. This green hillock may be where the CRL bifurcates and splits to the main line and spur line.

As the CRL is expected to bifurcate at some point to enable the mainline to run westwards towards Jurong and the spur line to link up with Punggol, we noticed a stretch of boreholes lining up along the canal towards Tampines North as well, possibly making way for a turnout point near the Livia condominium.

Soil investigation borehole spread along Pasir Ris Drive 1 in the Pasir Ris Central district.

The boreholes continue along Pasir Ris Drive 1, passing by the existing East West Line (EWL) station next to Whitesands at Pasir Ris Central. The closest borehole is quite a distance away from the existing station so it will be interesting to see how the lines will be linked together if this is the chosen route for the CRL.

Soil investigation borehole spread along Pasir Ris Drive 1 in the Pasir Ris East district.

Continuing along Pasir Ris Drive 1, the boreholes continue in to the Pasir Ris East district before the final borehole can be found at the junction of Pasir Ris Drive 1 and 2.

A soil investigation borehole indicating the project owner and contract number.

The boreholes noted along Pasir Ris Drive 1 indicate that they are conducted under contract C1036 - Site Investigation Works for LTA Projects. This is a positive indicator that the works are indeed LTA-related and most likely for the CRL. It is thus likely that LTA intends to run the CRL along Pasir Ris Drive 1 with stations potentially in the areas of Elias, Pasir Ris Central and Pasir Ris East. Eastwards, the line would run towards Loyang under Loyang Avenue. Do let us know if you see any new Soil Investigation rigs or boreholes as above that we be able to keep track of the latest updates.