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!

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.

CRL2 Announced

 

20 September 2022 - Photo taking at the ministerial visit to the East Coast depot.

CHANGI SOUTH, SINGAPORE - On 20th September, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) unveiled the second phase of the hotly anticipated Cross Island Line (CRL). CRL2 will span 15km, connecting to the first phase at Bright Hill and ending at the Jurong Lake District. Along the way, the line crosses with the Downtown Line (DTL) & East-West Line (EWL), offering commuters an alternative route between the east and west.

CRL2 - What's next?

Overview of the stages in the development of a Rapid Transit System.

With works on phase 1 of the Cross Island Line (CRL) mostly under way, the next hotly anticipated development for the line will be the announcement of station locations along the phase 2 section. Join us as we explore some of the key milestones to hit before construction works can commence.

CRL2 - Speculated Station Locations

A map of the expected phase 2 of the Cross Island Line. Own production.

As it has been more than 2 years since Cross Island Line (CRL) Punggol Extension was announced, we are expecting news of the next phase of the line to be announced this year. With an expected completion date of 2032, we foresee tenders for advanced contracts to be published soon. Earlier in June, pre-qualifications for 8 contracts for the second phase of the line were called for.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Long-Term Plan.
Source: URA

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) also published the latest Long-Term Plan in June 2022 which showed the notional full alignment of the CRL. By overlaying the long-term plan map over a geographic map, we were able to collaborate the supporting data and information with the latest sightings of soil investigation works to compile a list of probable station locations for the CRL2 section. This section of the CRL will continue from the tunnel section directly crossing below the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), and ends at Jurong Lake District.

We expect that there will be a total of 6 stations in this section, which stretches over 15km consisting of 5km below the CCNR, and 10km of tunnels between the 6 stations.

Geographical map of our expected CRL2 stations & alignment based on URA's long term plan.

CRL2 - Pre-qualification begins

 

Screen capture of pre-qualification for CRL2 contracts

Pre-qualification for 8 contracts along the Cross Island Line (CRL) phase 2 has begun. Details of the pre-qualification for the contracts was released on 31 May 2022. With an expected closure date of 28 June 2022, it is highly likely that the stations along this section of the line will be officially announced this year.