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.

CRL2 - A snapshot in March 2026

Overview of CRL2 stations CR19 - CR15 & contract CR210 & CR207 sites as at March 2026.
Top (L - R): CR19 - Jurong Lake District, CR210 launch shaft
Middle (L - R): CR18 - West Coast, CR17 - Clementi, CR207 launch shaft
Bottom (L - R): CR16 - Maju, CR15 - King Albert Park

Phase 2 of the Cross Island Line (CRL) is fast approaching road diversion season. In fact, this section of the line may have already crossed the threshold into the road diversion territory, with the first major diversion having taken place at the Maju station site. Nonetheless, other sites are likewise gearing up for their diversion-eras as well. Which sites are these and which roads will be diverted? Find out all that & more after the jump!

CRL - A snapshot in October 2025

Overview of CRL1 stations CR4 - CR12 as at October 2025.
Top (L - R): CR4 – Pasir Ris East, 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, CR12 – Teck Ghee

Overview of CPE stations CP2 - CP4 & CRL2 stations CR16 - CR19 as at October 2025.
Top (L - R): CP2 – Elias, CP3 – Riviera, CP4 – Punggol
Middle (L - R): CR16 – Maju, CR207 – Twin bored tunnels, CR17 – Clementi
Bottom (L - R): CR18 – West Coast, CR210 – Twin bored tunnels, CR19 – Jurong Lake District

It's been a while since we've done such an extensive coverage of the Cross Island Line (CRL) across its three current phases that have been announced thus far, hence we thought we'd let October be our month of diversity. Updates for this month stretch from Pasir Ris East all the way to Punggol & Jurong Lake District. If you've been curious on how things were progressing, this post is for you. Do be ready, this update's kind of MEGA.

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.

CRL2 Groundbreaking ceremony

7 July 2025 - A group photo with contractors of CRL2.

Today, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the official commencement of construction on phase 2 of the Cross Island Line (CRL). Connecting 6 stations over 15km of track, the section of line will see the expansion of Singapore's rail network reach areas in the west currently not well covered by the system. Notably, the future housing estate on the site of the former turf club will be served by the MRT and residents at West Coast will have a station to call their own. Also standing to benefit, students at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) will be served by the upcoming Maju station. Stations along this section of the line are Turf City, King Albert Park, Maju, Clementi, West Coast and Jurong Lake District. King Albert Park and Clementi stations will connect to the existing Downtown and East-West lines respectively, allowing convenient transfers for commuters.

Early works under the 9 contracts that make up phase 2 have already commenced, thus today's ceremony is more symbolic in nature. Some of the works that have begun include the demolition of existing structures at the project sites, utility diversions and construction of diaphragm walls for sections where excavation works will be required. The 9 contracts consist of 3 contracts for tunneling between stations and 6 contracts for the construction of stations, some which also include the construction of connecting tunnels.

A total of 11 tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be required to complete tunneling works along this section of the line, one of which is already busy at work under contract CR202. TBM Jane, launched in May 2025, is a large diameter TBM that will construct the tunnels connecting Turf City station with Bright Hill station on phase 1 of the line. This tunnel will undercross the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) without disturbing the surface, a decision that was not undertaken lightly when the line was first planned. Due to concerns from nature groups and other communities, studies were initiated to weigh the benefits of pursuing the direct route over an alternative route avoiding the CCNR entirely. Ultimately, following the studies conducted, the direct route through the CCNR was selected, albeit with some adjustments to the work areas to mitigate impact to the flora and fauna found within the reserve.

In addition to the symbolic start of construction along the second phase, the Minister for Transport - Mr. Jeffrey Siow - also officiated the opening of the phase's Project Information Centre (PIC). Located in Clementi and next to the project site, the PIC serves to allow the community to learn more about the project and its development. On display is a model of the upcoming Clementi station and exhibits of the contracts under this phase of the line. Similar PICs exist in Hougang for Phase 1 of the line and in Punggol for the Punggol extension section.

7 July 2025 - Opening plaque

The PIC will be open to the public from 8 July 2025. Operating hours will be 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Walk-ins are allowed, but booking an appointment through a link to be released is encouraged.

We look forward to the continued progress along CRL2 with the phase officially underway. May the project be completed safely & in a timely manner.

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.

CRL2 - A snapshot in January 2025

A view of the various contract sites for Cross Island Line phase 2 in January 2025.
Top: Contract CR207 along Clementi Road
Middle (L - R): CR17 - Clementi station, CR18 - West Coast station
Bottom (L - R): Contract CR210 site near Jurong Town Hall station, CR19 - Jurong Lake District

Our last summary update for phase 2 of the Cross Island Line (CRL) was some time ago. With the recent public holidays in the previous month, we managed to make a few visits to some of the sites along the southern section of this line. Do check out the updates to find out more on the progress of the contracts thus far after the jump!

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.

CR209 - Demolition of Tanglin Secondary School building

 

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.

CRL - A snapshot in March 2024

Overview of CRL1 stations CR4 - CR13 as at March 2024.
Top (L - R): CR4 - Pasir Ris East, CR5/CP1 - Pasir Ris, CR7 - Defu
Middle (L - R): CR8 - Hougang, CR9 - Serangoon North, CR10 - Tavistock
Bottom (L - R): CR11 – Ang Mo Kio, CR12 - Teck Ghee, CR13 - Bright Hill

Overview of CPE & CRL2 stations CP2 - CP4 & CR14 - CR19 as at March 2024.
Top (L - R): CP2 - Elias, CP3 - Riviera, CP4 - Punggol
Middle (L - R): CR14 - Turf City, CR15 - King Albert Park, CR16 - Maju
Bottom (L - R): CR17 - Clementi, CR18 - West Coast, CR19 - Jurong Lake District

It's been a whirlwind first quarter of the year. We take the opportunity to check in on the progress of the various construction sites along the Cross Island Line (CRL)'s various phases in the month of March and provide a glimpse at the progress being made. Do check out the various projects after the jump.

CR209 - West Coast gearing up

 

24 February 2024 - An aerial view of the former Tanglin Secondary School campus.

As with other Cross Island Line (CRL) phase 2 contracts awarded in 2023, works are ramping up ahead of the area undergoing massive changes at West Coast station site. Currently still occupied by the former Tanglin Secondary School, which moved out after a final year on the campus, the contract will see the demolition of the existing buildings before construction can commence.

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.

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.

CRL2 - Contract award for CR209

 

A render of one of the station exits - likely Exit 2.
Source: LTA

A render of the station's interior.
Source: LTA

Today, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced the award of contract CR209 for the construction of West Coast station & associated tunnels under the Cross Island Line phase 2. Contract CR209 is the fourth contract under phase 2 to be awarded - the other contract being contract CR202 for the large diameter tunnel through the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and contracts CR205 and CR208 for the construction of King Albert Park and Clementi interchange stations only respectively.

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.

CRL2 - Release of contract CR203 for Turf City

 

24 July 2023 - Tender for contract CR203
Source: LTA

Today, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) floated the tender for contract CR203. This contract involves the construction of Turf City station and associated tunnels connecting to King Albert Park station in neighbouring contract CR205. Contract CR203 is the sixth contract floated for tender under the Cross Island Line's (CRL) phase 2 which continues the line from Bright Hill to Jurong Lake District. CRL2 is due to commence operations in 2032.

To date, of the contracts floated for tenders, 1 has been awarded, 3 have been closed for evaluation of tender bids & 2 remain open. We've done up a table for ease of reference.

Contract Number	Status	Bidders
CR202	Awarded	Obayashi – STEC JV (Successful)
CR203 (Turf City)	Open	Pending – closing 22 Dec 2023
CR205 (King Albert Park)	Closed for evaluation	1. China Communications Construction Co. Ltd 2. Gammon Construction & Engineering Pte Ltd 3. Lum Chang Building Contractors Pte Ltd 4. Ssangyong Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd
CR206 (Maju)	Open	Pending – closing 31 July 2023
CR208 (Clementi)	Closed for evaluation	1. CES_SDC Pte Ltd 2. China Communications Construction Co. Ltd 3. Daelim Engineering & Construction Co Ltd. 4. Sato Kogyo (S) Pte Ltd
CR209 (West Coast)	Closed for evaluation	1. CES_SDC Pte Ltd 2. China Jingye Engineering Corporation Ltd 3. China Railway First Group Co. Ltd 4. Gamuda Berhad 5. Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co Pte Ltd (STEC)

With the latest tender floated, the contracts for 5 of the 6 stations along CRL2 have been successfully tendered. The remaining contract for Jurong Lake District station has yet to be floated, along with 2 other contracts - likely to be contracts for tunneling works. The remaining contracts are numbered CR207, CR210 & CR211.

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CR2016 - Advanced works for CRL2

 

21 May 2023 - The beginning of hoarding along Clementi Road.

21 May 2023 - Hoarding along Clementi Road.

Recently if you've travelled along Clementi Road, especially around the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) / Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) stretch, you may have noticed green hoarding along the boundary of the road. Ever wondered what the hoarding is for? Could it be that works for the Cross Island Line (CRL) phase 2 are already beginning? Find out more after the jump.

West Coast pre-construction

18 December 2022 - An aerial view of the site of the future West Coast station.

Before there is any station at West Coast, before there is any construction work, there is a small sleepy neighbourhood. The site of the future West Coast station on the second phase of the Cross Island Line (CRL) is currently occupied by Tanglin Secondary School. A school with a long history dating back to 1964, the school moved into its current premises in 1993 - approximately 30 years ago! In 2016, the school merged with the former Clementi Woods Secondary School (itself a merger between Ghim Moh Secondary & Jin Tai Secondary schools). This year, the school will undergo another merger, this time with New Town Secondary School, that allows the land upon which the school building sits to be freed up for new uses - including that of being home to an MRT station in future.

CR209 - For West Coast station

 

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) released the tender for contract CR209 for the construction of West Coast station & tunnels. West Coast station will be 1 of 6 stations that form the second phase of the Cross Island Line (CRL). To date, 3 tenders have been floated. The first two tenders will close in April 2023 whilst this tender is due in May 2023. As with the other contracts, the completion of works will be in June 2032. As with the other contracts, we can assume that construction will commence in 2024 after the contracts are awarded in end-2023.

This is a blog-only post.

CRL2 - Some renders & EIS reports

 

A render of an exit of Turf City station.
Source: LTA

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has recently published the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) reports on their website. Within the reports were a few renders of Turf City and King Albert Park stations. Other details were also unveiled within the reports, such as the stations at Maju & Turf City potentially having cripple sidings integrated into the stations and a future knock out panel being provisioned for a "paid link" at Maju station. A heritage study report by the Urban Redevelopment Authority did not yield any other results.