CRL - A snapshot in July 2026

A compilation of the various sites across Phases 1 and 2 in July 2026.

With the announcement of the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s final phase on 31 July 2026, we now know that the line will stretch for 67km, making this line the longest in the country - beating out the East-West Line (EWL)'s record of 54km by a fair bit. This means that the CRL is a really big project, spanning end-to-end across the entire country. While the EWL also crosses the island from east to west, it mostly sticks to the southern section of the island. In comparison, the CRL swings further north and south than the EWL, making its route much more varied and spread out. This translates into it being much more difficult to easily visit and keep track of all contract sites.

For this update, we tried to cover as much ground as we could to give you an idea of where the line stands in progress. As phase 3 was only announced right at the end of the month, we won't be yet including that section in this update. Nonetheless, all the previous phases of the line that were officially announced are covered in this update in some way, form or manner. There's a lot to unpack, so jump right on in after the jump.

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.

CRL1 - TBM Season

Contract CR102 TBMs during the assembly phase at the launch shaft.
Source: STEC

A happy new year to all our readers & followers! Recently, we have come across a few new images of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for the Cross Island Line (CRL) phase 1. Coupled with recent deliveries to sites at Hougang, Ang Mo Kio and Defu, its definitely TBM season for the CRL. What better way to begin the new year than by taking a look at all the machines responsible for building the tunnels for the upcoming CRL1? More of them after the jump.

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.

Tunnel Boring Machines of CRL1

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.

CRL1 Project Information Centre - now open!

 

29 August 2023 - Operating hours as displayed on the site office hoarding.

Recently, the Cross Island Line (CRL) phase 1's Project Information Centre (PIC) has been opened to the public. Operating hours for the PIC are during weekdays during office hours. Do note that you will need to get in touch with the Public Relations Officer to secure a slot before heading down so that the PIC will be manned during your visit. Not doing so may result in disappointment should the officer be engaged and unable to open the centre for you. Nonetheless, the team paid a visit to the PIC today and are here to relay what you can find once you are there.

CR102 - New video from LTA

 

Source: YouTube

Today, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) released a new animation video detailing the works required under contract CR102. This contract involves the construction of tunnels between Aviation Park station, the Changi East Cross Island Line (CRL) depot and tracks towards the future Terminal 5 station at Changi Airport. Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) will be used to bore 5 tunnels - 2 mainline running tunnels & 3 reception tracks at a T-junction.

Image by Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co.

According to the video, ground improvement works are required before excavation and tunneling can begin. A further challenge to construction is that it will take place in close proximity to a live aviation environment which limits the height of machinery that can work in the area. However, the contract is being undertaken by Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co (STEC), who also won contract T316 for works on the Thomson-East Coast Line, also within the Changi Airport area. Thus, STEC should be no stranger to the restrictions of working within a live aviation environment. We wish the contractor well as works get into full swing for the CRL tunnels.

This is a blog-only post.

CRL1 - Groundbreaking ceremony

 

The event stage before the commencement of the ceremony.

The SG MRT Construction team is once again grateful for the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) invitation to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cross Island Line (CRL) phase 1 this morning. Held at the contract CR117 site for Bright Hill station, it was indeed a bright and cheery morning, fit for a momentous occasion. The ceremony's stage was decked out in CRL Lime Green and decorated with drums and barrels of sorts whilst event attendees mingled around, awaiting the guest of honour's arrival.

CR101 & CR102 - Contract 2022 year-end update

27 December 2022 - The entry to the contract CR101 site for Changi East Depot

 

27 December 2022 - Machinery on site for contract CR102, with empty silos to be erected.

Contract CR101 & CR102 are included & essential for the construction of Cross Island Line (CRL) phase 1. The first of the 2 contracts involves the construction of the Changi East Depot while the second will see the construction of tunnels from the depot and linking to both Aviation Park station & the future Changi Airport Terminal 5.

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