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| 13 December 2024 - The TBM tail shield during lifting operations. |
Contract CR112 has made some headway since the arrival of the Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) at the site. Two TBMs will be used to bore the twin tube tunnels towards Serangoon North station. After a public name voting process, the TBMs are to be named Artemis & Valkyrie. Parts of the first TBM were lowered into the launch shaft on 7 December 2024 and the tail shield was lifted in on 13 December 2024.
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| A view of the front of the TBM. Source: Herrenknecht |
Recently, German tunnel boring machine (TBM) manufacturer - Herrenknecht - uploaded several images of the machine numbered S-1365 onto its website. The TBM will be used for contract CR202 to construct the large diameter single bore tunnel through the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, connecting Cross Island Line (CRL)'s phases 1 and 2. The contract, won by a joint venture between Obayashi & Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co, was the first of several CRL2 contracts to be awarded.
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| A compilation of diagrams detailing upcoming road diversions, temporary road closures & changes to the road networks over the weekend of 16 & 17 November near 3 CRL work sites. |
The weekend of 16 & 17 November will be a busy one for the Cross Island Line (CRL) with various traffic diversions, temporary road closures & changes to road schemes taking place across three different projects over 2 phases of the line. The works in particular will affect residents in Pasir Ris at the site of contract CR108, in Ang Mo Kio near site CR115 at Tavistock station and at King Albert Park at the site of CR205.
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| A screenshot from the webinar, showing Jurong Lake District station's Exit 3 design. |
A recent webinar held online by the Bentley to market building information modeling software Synchro allowed viewers to obtain some additional information on Jurong Lake District station under contract CR211. The Cross Island Line (CRL) phase 2 station will be built with an initial 3 exits and two cut & cover tunnel sections on either side of the station. These are known as the Western Cut & Cover Tunnel (WCCT) and Eastern Cut & Cover Tunnel (ECCT).
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| 4 November 2024 - A photo of the visiting delegation in front of the TBM's cutterhead. Source: Facebook |
Contract P103 has reached another milestone with the assembly of tunnel boring machine (TBM)'s cutterhead. Various parts of the machine's shield have already been lowered into the launch shaft which is located outside Pasir Ris camp. Some further assembly is still required before the machine will be launched for its first 3.4km drive towards Punggol station, where it is expected to arrive in mid-2026.
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| A render of the Jurong Lake District station being built under contract CR211. Source: LTA |
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| 20 September 2024 - The launching ceremony for tunneling under contract CR115. Source: LinkedIn |
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| Tunnel boring machines for contract CR112. Source: Forms.sg |
We have a quick update on some developments along the Cross Island Line (CRL) to share: The launch of contract CR211's Telegram channel & TBM #1 for contract CR115 and confirmed names of the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for contract CR112. More information after the jump.
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| An overview of 2 CRL1 contracts as of August 2024. Top: Changi East depot Bottom: Contract CR110 launch shaft at Paya Lebar Air Base |
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Overview of CRL1 stations CR3 - CR11 as of August 2024. |
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Overview of CRL1 stations CR12 – CR13, CPE stations CP2 –
CP4 & CRL2 stations CR15 – |
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| 30 June 2024 - An overview of the station box as of end-Q2. |
Contract CR112 was one of the first station contracts awarded for the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s first phase back in 2020. Since then, the contract has come a long way along but, as of Q2, had yet to commence tunneling work. This is despite the fact that a gantry crane being installed near the contract's launch shaft since January this year. Nonetheless, Q2 marked a significant milestone for the contract with the completion of phase 1 diaphragm wall works. This milestone also saw the excavation of portions of the station box commence.
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| Layout of Turf City station and its exits. Source: STEC |
Contract CR203 for the construction of Turf City station was one of the last to be awarded for the second phase of the Cross Island Line (CRL). Since the contract's award in May 2024, contractor Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co (STEC) has since uploaded some images of the station onto its website, including new renders of the station's exterior & interior.
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| 27 July 2024 - A view of the front of the training centre with the project site behind the white noise barriers. |
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) launched visits to the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s contract CR202 Biodiversity Training Centre (BTC) on 16th July 2024. The team subsequently made a visit to the BTC where one could learn a bit more about the contract and the special training that workers undergo before being deployed to the project. The contract for the construction of the large diameter single bore tunnel involves tunneling through the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), an environmentally sensitive section of the country where wildlife thrives. In view of this, additional training is required to allow workers at the site to pick up knowledge on practices to minimise impact on the environment, animals and plants near the work site.
If you're interested to visit the BTC, you can sign up here: https://go.gov.sg/crl-btc
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| 20 June 2024 - A view of heavy machinery on the south side of the station in end-Q2. |
The site of contract CR116 has been a busy one over the past quarter, with preparation works underway to begin construction at Exit 7 outside AMK Hub. This site has been one of the few that has yet to begin construction in any form while works progressed at the rest of the station site. One of the major observations over the course of the quarter was the slow ramping down of diaphragm walling works on the southern edge of the station as the works approached completion. Join us as we look back on the progress made over the past quarter.
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Overview of CRL1 contracts CR102 - CR115 as of July 2024. |
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Overview of CRL1 contracts CR116 & N109A, CPE contracts P102 - P103 & CRL2 contracts |
July was a momentous month for the Cross Island Line (CRL). All civil contracts for the construction of stations across phases 1, 2 and the Punggol extension were awarded. Along phase 1, several contracts were in the midst of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) assembly and subsequent launch as well. In this update, we take a brief look at the progress made across the line's first few phases.
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| A render of one of the station's three exits. Source: LTA |
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| A render of the station's concourse level. Source: LTA |
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) today announced the award of contract CR211 for the construction of Jurong Lake District and cut & cover tunnels on either end of the station to KTC Civil Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd. The contractor is also responsible for Maju station on the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s phase 2 as well, under contract CR206. KTC successfully beat out 6 other contractors that bid for the contract, including 1 that was not shortlisted.
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| 20 June 2024 - An aerial view of the junction of Ang Mo Kios Avenue 1 & 6 with Marymount Road in end-Q2. |
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| Tunnel Boring Machines of Cross Island Line Phase 1. Top (L - R) : Contract CR102, Contract CR106 Middle (L - R) : Contract CR105, Contract CR115, Contract CR110 Bottom (L - R) : Contract CR109, Contract CR116 |
Tunnel Boring Machines, also known as TBMs, have been described as mechanical moles or earthworms that dig through the ground, leaving behind hollow concrete tubes through which trains eventually run. These huge machines often work their way along the future MRT lines, most members of the public unaware of their existence right beneath them.
TBMs used on previous MRT projects were huge at approximately 6.3m in diameter. The ones used on the Cross Island Line (CRL) are even bigger, owing to the extra space required to run an additional rail supplying the trains with power along the top of the eventual tunnel. These will measure at around 7.22m for single tube tunnels that carry one track and 12.66m for large diameter tube tunnels that carry several tracks within.
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| 23 June 2024 - An aerial view to the north of the Maju station site. |
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| 23 June 2024 - An aerial view to the south of the Maju station site. |
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| Unveiled sections of the Cross Island Line as of July 2024. Source: LTA |
With more contracts under the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s phase 2 being awarded, several new Telegram channels have been established to provide residents & stakeholders with updates on construction works. We felt that it was timely to provide a renewed update on the blog as well, for ease of reference should you wish to join the official channels. These groups allow the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and contractors to quickly disseminate information when necessary - for instance, when a road diversion is due to be implemented - allowing stakeholders time to receive the information and understand the changes coming in their vicinity.
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CRL
Phase |
Contract |
Telegram
group available |
|
CRL 1 |
CR101 |
O |
|
CR102 |
P |
|
|
CR103 |
P |
|
|
CR105 |
P |
|
|
CR106 |
P |
|
|
CR107 |
P |
|
|
CR108 |
P |
|
|
CR109 |
P |
|
|
CR110 |
P |
|
|
CR111 |
P |
|
|
CR112 |
P |
|
|
CR113 |
P |
|
|
CR115 |
P |
|
|
CR116 |
P |
|
|
N109A |
P |
|
|
CR117 |
P |
|
|
CRL
Punggol Extension |
P102 |
P |
|
P103 |
P |
|
|
P105 |
P |
|
|
CRL 2 |
CR202 |
P |
|
CR203 |
O |
|
|
CR205 |
P |
|
|
CR206 |
P |
|
|
CR208 |
P |
|
|
CR209 |
P |
|
|
CR210 |
O |
 |
Overview of CRL1 stations CR4 – CR11 as at June 2024. |
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Overview of CRL1 stations CR12 – CR13, CPE stations CP2 – CP4 & CRL2 stations CR16 – |
As we move into the middle of the year, works along Phase 1 and the Punggol Extension of the Cross Island Line (CRL) have begun picking up as works along Phase 2 begin becoming more visible. Early works for Phase 3 have begun to show as well, with secondary rounds of soil investigation taking place while other contracts begin making appearances on the government tendering portal.
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| 16 June 2024 - An aerial view of the station site currently occupied by the former Tanglin Secondary School buildings. |
Contract CR209 for the construction of West Coast station and tunnels connecting to Clementi station was the fourth civil contract awarded for phase 2 of the Cross Island Line (CRL2), following the awards for the large diameter single bored tunnel across the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (contract CR202), King Albert Park station (contract CR205) and Clementi station (contract CR208). Together with the latter two, work was anticipated to begin in Q1 2024. The initial works that began last quarter were site preparation works, such as pre-condition surveys of surrounding buildings and capturing drone footage before any work began proper.
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| 20 June 2024 - A view eastwards of the site stretching up to Eunoia Junior College. |
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| 15 June 2024 - A photo of the dignitaries in front of the eastbound tunnel boring machine. Source: LinkedIn |
Talk about being at the right place at the right time - yesterday the Land Transport Authority (LTA) together with contractor China Communications Construction Co (CCCC) held a launch ceremony to kick off tunneling works for the contract. The name of at least one tunnel boring machine (TBM) was unveiled - Hua Mulan. TBM Hua Mulan will begin boring the westbound (Tuas-bound) tunnel for the line from Tampines North station towards Pasir Ris station from the northern launch shaft. A second TBM has also been lowered in months prior but will commence tunneling work at a later date after Hua Mulan advances a distance away. But yes, we stopped by the Tampines North station site yesterday and could see the banners hanging at the northern launch shaft saying "Congratulations" but due to the angle, could not make out any further words.
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| 21 March 2024 - A view of the Exit 1 site at the heart of Serangoon North neighbourhood. |
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Overview of CRL1 stations CR4 - CR7 as at May 2024. |
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Overview of CRL1 stations CR8 - CR11 as at May 2024. |
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Overview of CRL1 stations CR12, CR13, CR15 & CR17 as at May 2024. |
Another week, and another month goes by. We're now clearly heading towards the middle of the year with June underway. Here's a look back at the progress made at the various Cross Island Line station sites in May 2024. There's a bit more to see now that some of the Tunnel Boring Machines are in the ground and beginning their boring journeys through the east to construction the line.
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| 21 March 2024 - An aerial view of Ang Mo Kio station's paid transfer link, Exit 2 & 6's worksite next to the existing North-South Line station. |
Q1 of 2024 has seen work at Ang Mo Kio station ramping up ahead of more modifications to the existing North-South Line (NSL) station. Diaphragm wall construction work has commenced near the existing NSL station as well, ahead of the planned switch over to diaphragm wall construction along the northern side of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 in the later half of the year.
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| 21 March 2024 - An aerial view of the main station area, where Exits 1 and 4 will be located. |
Life kind of caught up to us in Q1, so similar to Tampines North and Pasir Ris East, we only managed to catch Teck Ghee in March 2024. Contract N109A is primarily for the construction of the North South Expressway (NSE) tunnels with the Cross Island Line (CRL) Teck Ghee station added on beneath. As such, the impact at the work site is much greater than that at other station sites due to the cut & cover nature of the expressway's construction.
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| One of the station's exits. Image: LTA |
Today, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced the award of contract CR203 for the design & construction of Turf City station and associated tunnels connecting to King Albert Park station. The contract was won by a joint venture between Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co (STEC) & Obayashi Corporation. The joint venture had also previously won adjacent contract CR202 for the construction of a large diameter, single bored tunnel underneath the Central Catchment Nature Reserve that connects Turf City station to Bright Hill station under phase 1 of the line.
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| 13 March 2024 - A photo of the Minister of Transport, Mr. Chee Hong Tat, with LTA's senior management as the ceremony for the launch of TBM Izanami. Source: CREG |
Thus far, the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s worksite have all been about creating big holes in the ground. It's been rather similar across the different sites - hardly the interesting stuff of the Jurong Region Line (JRL) where you can see the viaducts coming nearer and nearer to you with each visit. This time, though, we're in for a different kind of update on the CRL. Hopefully one that would be of more interest. Word has been rather mum when it comes to tunneling work along the line. Has it begun yet? Has it not? Not a peep from client Land Transport Authority (LTA). But we've come across some photos of late that suggest, perhaps, maybe, tunneling works might have begun quietly over at Changi.
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| 24 March 2024 - An aerial view of the worksite near the junction of Pasir Ris Drive2 1 & 2 with Street 12. |
First of all, unfortunately we only managed to drop by the site towards the end of Q1, so there are somewhat fewer images in this update. However, works thus far have mostly been relegated to diaphragm wall construction for the most part and are hardly the most exciting of works. Perhaps it is not such a bad thing to have visited only once over the past quarter. Nonetheless, we'll do our best to break down how things are progressing over at the site.
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| 24 March 2024 - A view westwards from the cut & cover tunnel section east of the main station box. |
The first quarter of the year has seen quite a fair bit of activity at the construction site of Pasir Ris Cross Island Line (CRL) station. Within the first three months, the alignment of Pasir Ris Drive 1 was shifted closer to Costa Ris BTO precinct, the junction of Pasir Ris Drive 1 with Pasir Ris Central & Street 51 was reconfigured and diaphragm wall works outside block 571 saw a road diversion enacted.
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| Overview of CRL1 stations CR4 - CR13 as of April 2024. Top (L - R): CR4 - Pasir Ris East, CR5 - Pasir Ris, CR6 - Tampines North Middle (L - R): CR7 - Defu, CR8 - Hougang, CR9 - Serangoon North Bottom (L-R): CR10 - Tavistock, CR11 - Ang Mo Kio, CR13 - Bright Hill |
We're pretty much done with April of 2024 - what a quick first third of the year it has been! Things are quickly becoming serious over along the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s first phase of 12 stations stretching from Aviation Park to Bright Hill with tunnel boring machines (TBMs) being delivered to site and lowered into launch shafts, station box excavation starting and bored piling continuing. We'll do a brief overview of the CRL1 stations as of the end of April 2024. More after the jump!
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| 10 March 2024 - An aerial view of the station site. |
Through the first quarter, we managed to visit the Defu station site at least twice and have noted the good progress made at the western end of the station. It is likely that the launch shaft for tunneling works towards Hougang station will be located here. As such, this section has been given priority in diaphragm walling works, with the works moving further away from the area gradually.
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| 15 February 2024 - A view of the entrance to the CPE PIC prior to the centre's opening. |
Earlier this month, the Cross Island Line (CRL) Punggol Extension's (CPE) Project Information Centre (PIC) was officially opened to the public. The PIC is open to the public during weekdays during office hours and is closed on weekends and public holidays. Walk-ins are permitted and no appointment is needed to visit the centre.
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| 14 March 2024 - An aerial view of the contract CR112 worksite for Hougang station as at end-Q1. |
Contract CR112 was one of the first civil contracts awarded for the Cross Island Line's (CRL) phase 1. The work site for the station is at various stages across different sites at the station box and exits. Exciting progress made over the past quarter has seen the commencement of excavation works at the main station box site and the waterproofing of parts of the subway connecting station exit 6. More pictures and information after the jump.
