CRL - A snapshot in August 2025

Overview of CRL1 stations CR3 - CR10 as at August 2025.
Top (L - R): CR3 - Loyang, CR4 - Pasir Ris East
Middle (L - R): CR5/CP1 - Pasir Ris, CR8 - Hougang
Bottom (L - R): CR9 - Serangoon North, CR10 – Tavistock

Overview of CRL1 station CR11 & CRL2 stations CR17 - CR19 as at August 2025.
Top (L - R): CR11 – Ang Mo Kio, CR207 - Launch shaft
Middle (L - R): CR17 - Clementi, CR18 - West Coast
Bottom (L - R): CR210 - Launch shaft, CR19 - Jurong Lake District

Roughly about three-quarters into the year, how has progress been along the Cross Island Line? We take a closer look at some of the key sites along the line in both phases 1 and 2 in this August look-back.

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.

CRL - A snapshot in May 2025

An overview of CRL1 contracts CR101 - CR111 as of May 2025.
Top (L - R) : CR101 - Changi East Depot, CR102 - Tunnels, CR103 - Aviation Park station
Middle (L - R) : CR106 - Loyang station, CR107 - Pasir Ris East station, CR108 - Pasir Ris station
Bottom (L - R) : CR109 - Tampines North station, CR110 - Large bored tunnel, CR111 - Defu station

An overview of CRL1 contracts CR112 - CR117, CPE contracts P102 & P103 and CRL2 contract CR202 as of May 2025.
Top (L - R) : CR112 - Hougang station, CR113 - Serangoon North station, CR115 - Tavistock station
Middle (L - R) : CR116 - Ang Mo Kio station, N109A - Teck Ghee station, CR117 - Bright Hill station
Bottom (L - R) : P102 - Elias station, P103 - Cripple siding, CR202 - Large bored tunnel

An overview of CRL2 contracts CR205 - CR211 as of May 2025.
Top (L - R) : CR205 - King Albert Park station, CR206 - Maju station
Middle (L - R) : CR207 - Tunnels, CR208 - Clementi station, CR209 - West Coast station
Bottom (L - R) : CR210 - Tunnels, CR211 - Jurong Lake District station

It has been a while since we've done a snapshot feature of the Cross Island Line (CRL), with our last being done in February for the Punggol Extension. Part of this stems for the works being "less noticeable", since the majority of this takes place underground and relatively out of sight. Another part is that it also appears that updates on the CRL aren't as popular compared to updates on other lines (granted, the above ground line updates are A LOT more interesting as you actually see things change with most monthly updates). Nonetheless, we thought it's time to see where the CRL is in progress with this rather comprehensive mid-year update.

CRL - A snapshot in August 2024

 

An overview of 2 CRL1 contracts as of August 2024.
Top: Changi East depot
Bottom: Contract CR110 launch shaft at Paya Lebar Air Base

Overview of CRL1 stations CR3 - CR11 as of August 2024.
Top (L - R): CR3 - Loygang, CR4 - Pasir Ris East, CR5/CP1 - Pasir Ris
Middle (L - R): CR6 - Tampines North, 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 CR15 –
CR18 as of August 2024.
Top (L - R): CR12 – Teck Ghee, CR13 – Bright Hill, CP2 – Elias
Middle (L - R): CP3 – Riviera, CP4 – Punggol, CR15 – King Albert Park
Bottom (L - R): CR16 – Maju, CR17 – Clementi, CR18 – West Coast

With the award of contract CR207 for tunnels between Maju and Clementi stations in August, all civil contracts across the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s phases 1, 2 and Punggol extension have been awarded. Work on phase 1 and the Punggol extension were well underway while works along phase 2 were at different stages owing to the contract award progress.

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.

CRL - A snapshot in May 2024

Overview of CRL1 stations CR4 - CR7 as at May 2024.
Top (L - R): CR4 - Pasir Ris East, CR5/CP1 - Pasir Ris
Bottom (L - R): CR6 - Tampines North, CR7 - Defu

Overview of CRL1 stations CR8 - CR11 as at May 2024.
Top (L - R): CR8 - Hougang, CR9 - Serangoon North
Bottom (L - R): CR10 – Tavistock, CR11 – Ang Mo Kio

Overview of CRL1 stations CR12, CR13, CR15 & CR17 as at May 2024.
Top (L - R): CR12 - Teck Ghee, CR13 - Bright Hill
Bottom (L - R): CR15 - King Albert Park, CR17 - Clementi

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.

CRL - A snapshot in April 2024

 

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!

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.

CRL1 year-end update 2023

 

10 stations of the Cross Island Line's phase 1 as at end-2023.
Aviation Park & Defu are not represented in this post.

Sorry this post was a little delayed - got caught up between travelling & work. But we're here and made it to 27th December after all. For this post, we're covering the 10 stations that we have the most pictures of along the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s phase 1. The 2 stations not covered in the post today are Aviation Park and Defu. We may cover them at a later time. Nonetheless, it has been an eventful year for the CRL with the groundbreaking ceremony being held in January 2023. Construction has been well under way at all sites with work in full swing for the construction of the earth retaining & stabilising structures (ERSS). Several intermediate launch shafts have been built as well and excavation commenced at a few sites in particular.

Please be fair warned that this post is a mega-post and extremely photo-heavy. It may suck up a lot of your bandwith after the jump.

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.

CRL1 & CPE - Official Telegram Channels

 

Telegram groups have become the new means through which the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has digitised its outreach to stakeholders with new rail projects. The messaging platform has been used as a uni-directional channel through which circulars and updates on the various construction contracts are pushed out to residents, businesses and commuters in the area where construction works are taking place. The first wide-spread adoption was undertaken by the Circle Line Stage 6 (CCL6) project and subsequently adopted by the Jurong Region Line (JRL) as well. It appears that the Cross Island Line (CRL) is using this as well. We attempt to consolidate the links for you to join the Telegram channels as well, which have been rolled out for CRL1 and CPE sections, for which all civil contracts have been awarded thus far. It is assumed that the same will follow for CRL2 once the contracts have been awarded and for CRL3 in due time as well.

CR106 - Loyang Q1 2023 update

 

30 March 2023

Under contract CR106, a section of Loyang Avenue between Pasir Ris Drive 3 and Loyang Way was closed on 26 February 2023 to facilitate the construction of Loyang Cross Island Line (CRL) station and a vehicular viaduct on top. Since the closure in late February 2023, the work site has been cleared of trees and heavy equipment had moved in.

CRL1 - New videos

 

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) today uploaded a new video showing a flythrough of the upcoming Bright Hill station, the western terminus for the Cross Island Line (CRL) phase 1 which is due to open in 2030. An interchange station with the existing Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), provisions were made during the former's construction to allow paid linkways to connect to the future station and also for the future line's tunnels to cross over the existing station structure. We've extracted several screenshots from the flythrough video after the jump for your browsing pleasure. Additionally, we have also collated some other videos that LTA has posted up since our last update in March. All are available after the jump.

CRL1 Video directory

 

Yesterday, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) released a video showing a flythrough of the upcoming Tampines North station along the Cross Island Line (CRL) phase 1. LTA has been noticeably more active in uploading videos of & marketing the CRL across its social media channels. In addition to the new video on Tampines North, they also uploaded another video on the Rectangular Tunnel Boring Machine (RTBM) being used at the Teck Ghee station under contract N109A to construct subways to two exits located within Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park.

CR106 - Reminder on closure of Loyang Avenue

 

Infographic on Loyang Avenue closure.
Source: LTA

Infographic on Loyang Avenue closure.
Source: LTA

The 26th of February is fast approaching and along with it, the closure of a section of Loyang Avenue to facilitate construction works for the Cross Island Line (CRL) and Loyang Viaduct projects. Ahead of the road closure, the SgMC team visited the site a few weeks back to capture some shots of the area before the change takes effect.

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.

CR106 - Loyang 2022 year-end update

 

27 December 2022

Over at Loyang, the site is slowly undergoing changes. One of the more obvious changes is the tree felling along a stretch of Loyang Avenue, outside the JTC industrial blocks. Soil investigation works are also taking place beyond the perimeter wall of the development. Apart from this, further up Loyang Avenue, works are underway to construct bus shelters along a part of the carriageway that will be closed and converted into a bus priority corridor for the duration of the station & Loyang Viaduct construction works.

CR106 - Before the road closure

03 October 2022 - A view of the northbound lanes of Loyang Avenue, next to the Loyang bus depot.

Thank you dear readers for putting up with the momentary hiatus over the last few weeks - some of us were involved in a family wedding of one of our siblings & the ensuing family reunion over in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We're now back to our regular reporting and with the recent road closure that took place along Pasir Ris Drive 1 yesterday, are back with more images to capture how things look before a further road closure along Loyang Avenue to facilitate the construction of the Cross Island Line (CRL) station under contract CR106 as well as the upcoming Loyang Viaduct.