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.

CR105 - An update from Q1 2024

 

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.

CRL1, CPE & CRL2 - A snapshot in October 2023

 

Top (L - R): CR105 - Large diameter tunnel, CR3 - Loyang, CR4 - Pasir Ris East
Middle (L - R): CR5/CP1 - Pasir Ris, CR6 - Tampines North, CR7 - Defu
Bottom (L - R): CR8 - Hougang, CR9 - Serangoon North, CR10 – Tavistock

Top (L - R): CR11 - Ang Mo Kio, CR12 - Teck Ghee, CR13 - Bright Hill
Middle (L - R): CP2 - Elias, CP3 - Riviera, CR15 - King Albert Park
Bottom (L - R): CR16 - Maju, CR17 - Clementi, CR18 - West Coast

Here's a look at the progress made at the various Cross Island Line (CRL) sites across Phases 1, 2 & the Punggol Extension in October 2023.

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.

CR105 - TBM Factory Acceptance Test

 

February 2023
Source: CREG

Recently the tunnel boring machine (TBM) for contract CR105 underwent its factory acceptance test (FAT). The FAT is where the client, in this case Taisei Corporation - China State Construction Engineering Corporation Joint Venture, goes to the manufacturing factory to see that the machine meets their expectations after production has completed. A series of tests are conducted to ensure that all is in order before the machine is disassembled for delivery to the client's project site.

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.

Contract awards - CR105 & CR112

 

A render of Hougang interchange showing the paid transfer link's bank of escalators connecting to the North East Line on the left. The concourse extends towards the existing Exit A at the Hougang Bus Interchange.
Source: LTA

Over the last few weeks, the first of the civil contracts for the Cross Island Line (CRL) have begun to be awarded. On 8 March 2021, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) awarded contract CR105 for the construction of a large-diamater single bore tunnel between Aviation Park and Loyang stations to a join venture between Taisei Corporation and China State Construction Engineering Corporation. This was followed by the award of contract CR112 for the construction of Hougang interchange station and connecting tunnels on 26 March 2021 to Samsung C&T.

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