CR151 - Preview of the CRL trains

 

31 July 2026 - The first two train sets for the Cross Island Line during the unveiling ceremony
at the Singapore Rail Test Centre.

Interior colours chosen from the online poll conducted during the public design consultation.
Cars 1 and 6 will feature light blue, Cars 2 and 5 will feature green & Cars 3 and 4 will feature
dark blue schemes respectively.

Today, SgMC was at the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC). The visit was premised under the pretext of the Transport Minister's visit to view the testing of Cross Island Line (CRL) trains in Singapore. During his opening speech for the visit, the Minister also unveiled the alignment and locations of stations & depot for the final phase of the CRL. There will be a separate post on that. In this post, we'll tackle the things that we're sure you're eagerly awaiting for - the design features of the CRL trains. You may recall that the LTA had solicited for the public's opinion on certain design features for the CRL trains. We're bringing you along on this visit to the trains that were on display in static mode at the SRTC today.

Special thanks to Land Transport Authority (LTA) for the invite.

CRL1, CPE & CRL2 - Tunneling update for June

January 2026 - Factory Acceptance Test for contract CR203 tunnel boring machines in China.
Source: LinkedIn

June was quite a significant month for the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s tunneling works. Significant progress has been made along Phase 1 and along the Punggol Extension. We take a look at the some of the contracts where tunneling works made progress in the month of June.

CPE - A snapshot in April 2026

Overview of CPE stations as at April 2026.
Top: CP2 - Elias
Middle: CP3 - Riviera
Bottom: CP4 - Punggol

We're beginning the April snapshots with a recap of the Cross Island Line's Punggol Extension (CPE) where things are beginning to ramp up as tunneling works for the entire length of the phase commence. Station works have also progressed at the three station sites under this phase of the line. Find out more as we cover the brief summary of progress made at each station site.

CRL - A snapshot in February 2026

Overview of CRL1 stations CR2 - CR5, CR8 - CR10 & CPE station CP4 as at February 2026.
Top (L - R): Changi East Depot, CR2 - Aviation Park, CR3 - Loyang
Middle (L - R): CR4 - Pasir Ris East, CR5/CP1 - Pasir Ris, CR8 - Hougang
Bottom (L - R): CR9 - Serangoon North, CR10 - Tavistock, CP4 - Punggol

It's been a while since we've had a Snapshot update for the Cross Island Line (CRL). Here's one from February 2026, covering several of the sites across Phase 1 and Punggol station along the Punggol Extension. How have works progressed, especially at the line's eastern end? We find out all that and more in this update after the jump.

CRL1 & CPE - Upcoming traffic diversions (Aug 2025)

Beyond the upcoming road diversion mentioned in our post on the contract CR115 roadshow, several other Cross Island Line (CRL) contracts will be implementing similar diversions at their respective project sites. These changes to the road networks are scheduled to take place between mid & late August. The details after the jump.

CRL - A snapshot in July 2025

Overview of CRL1 works under contracts CR106 - CR117 as at July 2025.
Top (L - R): CR106 - Loyang, CR4 - Pasir Ris East, CR5/CP1 - Pasir Ris, CR6 - Tampines North
Middle (L - R): CR110 – Large diameter tunnel, CR7 - Defu, CR8 - Hougang, CR9 - Serangoon North
Bottom (L - R): CR10 – Tavistock, CR11 – Ang Mo Kio, CR12 - Teck Ghee, CR13 - Bright Hill

There's a fair bit to update in this snapshot of the Cross Island Line (CRL) for July 2025. This update will mainly focus on progress along phase 1 of the line, the section with the most progress thus far due to the section's earlier announcement, contract award and commencement in general. Nonetheless, tunneling is also underway across all announced phases thus far, so we will touch a little on the progress made on that front thus far. All this & more after the jump.

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.

P105 - Roadshow exhibition for upcoming footpath closures

 

13 March 2025 - A view of the exhibition boards at the roadshow to update commuters on the
upcoming footpath closures in the vicinity.

The contractor for contract P105 - Woh Hup Pte Ltd - recently held a roadshow over two days at the Punggol station to inform commuters of the upcoming footpath closures. Some of these footpath closures will come in tandem with road diversions to be implemented while others will be implemented in line with phased works for the new underground station.

CPE - A snapshot in February 2025

A view of Riviera and Punggol Cross Island Line station sites in February 2025.

Work is well underway for the construction of the Cross Island Line - Punggol Extension (CPE) which will see the line connecting Punggol and Pasir Ris stations via a branch of the Cross Island Line (CRL). Tunneling work for the majority of the alignment will be completed by a large diameter tunnel boring machine (TBM) - named Elizabeth - from a launch shaft just next to Pasir Ris Camp. Two drives will be used, one westwards ending at Punggol and a second eastwards, ending at Elias station. Before the arrival of TBM Elizabeth, ground improvement works were being carried out along Punggol Central. Diaphragm wall construction at the two station within Punggol were also well underway ahead of the TBM's arrival in a few years' time. More details on the works taking place after the jump.

P103 - Another milestone with TBM cutterhead assembly

 

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.

CRL - A snapshot in July 2024

Overview of CRL1 contracts CR102 - CR115 as of July 2024.
Top (L - R):  CR102 - Tunnels at Changi East, CR4 - Pasir Ris East, CR5/CP1 - Pasir Ris
Middle (L - R): CR6 - Tampines North, CR110 – Large diameter tunnel, CR7 - Defu
Bottom (L - R): CR8 - Hougang, CR9 - Serangoon North, CR10 – Tavistock 

Overview of CRL1 contracts CR116 & N109A, CPE contracts P102 - P103 & CRL2 contracts
CR205 - CR211 as at July 2024.
Top (L - R): CR11 - Ang Mo Kio, CR12 - Teck Ghee, CP2 - Elias
Middle (L - R): P103 Cripple siding, CR15 - King Albert Park, CR16 - Maju
Bottom (L - R): CR17 - Clementi, CR18 - West Coast, CR19 - Jurong Lake District

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.

CRL1/CPE/CRL2 - Official Telegram channel listing

 

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.

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

CRL - A snapshot in June 2024

Overview of CRL1 stations CR4 – CR11 as at June 2024.
Top (L - R): CR4 – Pasir Ris East, CR5/CP1 – Pasir Ris, CR6 – Tampines North
Middle (L - R): Contract CR110 TBM, CR7 – Defu, CR8 – Hougang
Bottom (L - R): CR9 – Serangoon North, CR10 – Tavistock, CR11 – Ang Mo Kio

Overview of CRL1 stations CR12 – CR13, CPE stations CP2 – CP4 & CRL2 stations CR16 –
CR18 as at June 2024.
Top (L - R): CR12 – Teck Ghee, CR13 – Bright Hill, CP2 – Elias
Middle (L - R): CP3 – Riviera, CP4 – Punggol, CR16 – Maju
Bottom (L - R): Contract CR207 site, CR17 – Clementi, CR18 – West Coast

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.

CPE Project Information Centre - now open!

 

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.

CRL - A snapshot in February 2024

 

Overview of CRL1 stations CR3 - CR13 as at mid-to-late February 2024.
Top (L - R): CR3 - Loyang, CR5/CP1 - 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

Overview of CPE & CRL2 stations CP02 - CP04 & CR15 - CR18 as of mid-to-late February 2024.
Top (L - R): CP02 - Elias & CP03 - Riviera
Middle (L - R): CP05 - Punggol, CR15 - King Albert Park, CR16 - Maju
Bottom (L - R): CR17 - Clementi & CR18 - West Coast

The first few months of the year have quickly past and we're slowly getting back into the monthly routines. Here's a snapshot update of the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s various stages of construction for the month of February with work started on phase 1 and the Punggol Extension. The latest phase announced - phase 2 - has also begun early works which we also explore in this update.

P105 - One last look at the Punggol station underpass

 

A map of the Punggol North East Line station. The underpass
runs parallel to the station, below Punggol Central and is located
between exits A & D.
Source: SBS Transit

6 May 2023 - A view of the entry point to the underpass from Exit D.

Part of the underpass will be converted into a new exit for the station.

With works for the Punggol station on the Cross Island Line (CRL) - Punggol Extension (CPE) now underway, the existing underpass at Punggol's North East Line station will close come 15th February 2024. The northern part of the underpass will be converted into Exit 7 of the new CPE station box while the southern part will be permanently closed. In future, Exit 5 will connect to the CPE station's concourse level, providing an alternative to the existing underpass. Currently, a street level pedestrian crossing is available for commuters to cross Punggol Central without going through the paid areas of the station. As the crossing is located underneath the LRT platforms, it is also weather-protected. We take one last look at the underpass before its closure on 15th February 2024.

CPE & CRL2 - year-end update 2023

 

The 9 station sites of CPE & CRL2 as of end-2023.

2023 was an eventful year for both the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s Punggol Extension (CPE) & Phase 2 (CRL2) sections with the ground breaking ceremony and contracts being awarded respectively. With the ground breaking ceremony taking place this year, work has began at all 3 station sites under the offshoot branch which connects the main CRL line at Pasir Ris with Punggol - a precursor to the long spoken about Northshore Line which would have eventually connected Punggol and Woodlands. Over at CRL2, contract awarded began, with 3 of the 9  civil contracts awarded through the year. All in all, 2023 has been exciting for the phase 2 stations.

CPE - Groundbreaking ceremony

 

This morning, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Cross Island Line (CRL) - Punggol Extension (CPE) section. Spanning 7.3km and adding 3 additional stations to the line, the ceremony was officiated by Acting Minister for Transport, Mr. Chee Hong Tat. Also in attendance were grassroots leaders for the various districts in which works will take place - Mr. Teo Chee Hean (Pasir Ris Elias), Ms. Yeo Wan Ling (Punggol East) & Mr. Janil Puthucheary (Punggol Central).

CR108 - Pasir Ris: The calm before the storm

 

1 October 2023 - A view eastwards of the section of road that will be closed on 8 October 2023.

This update for Pasir Ris will be a special one covering the progress made over Q3 with a little spillover to October 2023 before the major road closure of a section of Pasir Ris Drive 1 between the junction with Pasir Ris Central & Street 51 and the junction with Pasir Ris Drive 8. The road closure will see the roadway reduced to 2 lanes for traffic exiting Pasir Ris to allow motorists to leave the estate and access the expressway and/or Tampines. As a result, bus services will also be affected and diversions will be in effect when the closure takes place this coming weekend on 8 October.

P105 - New video by LTA

 

Source: YouTube

Yesterday the Land Transport Authority (LTA) released a new video flythrough of the Punggol Cross Island Line - Punggol Extension (CPE) station. The video shows the station's four entrances, the eastern concourse area and eastbound platform. The transfer connection to the North East Line (NEL), however, is not shown. This video differs from another one shown by contract P105's contractor Woh Hup at their roadshow.

Source: SGMC YouTube

With the new video released on LTA's YouTube page, we now have flythrough videos of 2 CPE stations at Punggol & Riviera. We can expect that the video for the last CPE station - Elias - should be released some time soon as well.

This is a blog-only post.