By 2030, daily ridership is projected to reach 600,000, eventually exceeding one million.
SINGAPORE: The construction of Phase 1 for the Cross Island Line (CRL), Singapore’s eighth MRT line, officially commenced on January 18.
Nearly half of the line’s stations will serve as interchange stations once fully operational. Interchange connections for both Phases 1 and 2 will include Pasir Ris and Clementi on the East-West Line, Hougang on the North-East Line, Ang Mo Kio on the North-South Line, Bright Hill on the Thomson-East Coast Line, and King Albert Park on the Downtown Line. Details regarding Phase 3 stations will be announced later.
Set for completion by 2030, Phase 1 will encompass 12 stations: Aviation Park, Loyang, Pasir Ris East, Pasir Ris, Tampines North, Defu, Hougang, Serangoon North, Tavistock, Ang Mo Kio, Teck Ghee, and Bright Hill.
Transport Minister S Iswaran, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, emphasized the benefits of increased connections, stating, “This will provide commuters with many more travel route options and help redistribute commuter traffic from busy Circle Line interchanges.”
At over 50 kilometers in length, the CRL will be Singapore’s longest fully underground MRT line, enhancing connectivity between the eastern, western, and north-eastern regions of the island.
It will improve access to key areas, including the Jurong Lake District, Punggol Digital District, and Changi Region. The start of CRL construction follows the recent commencement of the Jurong Region Line, contributing to an ambitious expansion of Singapore’s rail network by 100 kilometers over the next decade.
FASTER JOURNEYS, BETTER CONNECTIVITY
Once operational, the CRL will significantly reduce travel times for many residents, with eight out of ten households within a ten-minute walk from a train station, according to Mr. Iswaran.
For instance, a resident of Sin Ming living in Bright Hill can expect a travel time of about 30 minutes to Pasir Ris East, down from the current average of approximately 80 minutes.
The Bright Hill station will link to a new Transit Priority Corridor (TPC) along Sin Ming Avenue, facilitating multimodal transfers to bus and active mobility networks.
This 2-kilometer TPC will feature a dedicated bus lane, new cycling paths, and wider footpaths, ensuring residents have better access to Bright Hill MRT station and nearby recreational spaces such as Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.
Residents and commuters in Pasir Ris, Changi, and Loyang can also anticipate increased convenience and enhanced connectivity with the completion of the Pasir Ris, Pasir Ris East, and Loyang stations.
The CRL plays a crucial role in Singapore’s goal to ensure nine out of ten peak-period “Walk Cycle Ride” journeys are completed in under 45 minutes.
Daily ridership is expected to reach 600,000 upon opening in 2030, with projections of exceeding one million in the long term. Initial operations will feature six-car trains, with plans to accommodate eight-car trains as demand grows—more than any other MRT line currently in use, Mr. Iswaran noted.
CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGES
As the CRL spans the entire island, its construction will present challenges that will test the capabilities of engineers and partners, according to Mr. Iswaran.
The tunneling will navigate a variety of soil conditions, from soft marine clay to hard rock, necessitating specialized machinery and precautions to ensure worker safety and structural integrity.
Additionally, the construction will need to address a complex network of utilities, telecommunications cables, and foundation piles.
To enhance efficiency and safety, various technologies are being deployed, including virtual and augmented reality tools for improved coordination, as well as computer simulations to optimize operations at the Changi East Depot.
Construction will occur in proximity to densely populated areas, with efforts to minimize disruptions to residents, roads, and existing rail lines.
At its deepest points, the CRL Phase 1 tunnels will reach nearly 50 meters below ground—equivalent to the height of a 16-story HDB block—and the Pasir Ris CRL station will be Singapore’s deepest, at 47 meters underground.
One of the largest tunnel boring machines used in Singapore will facilitate the construction of twin-track tunnels in specific sections, such as between Defu and Tampines North stations.
Rail and road construction will be conducted simultaneously where feasible, particularly at intersections like Teck Ghee station and the North-South Corridor.
LTA is progressively calling for tenders for CRL Phase 2, which will include six stations from Turf City to Jurong Lake District, while engineering studies for Phase 3 are ongoing.
RENEWAL OF EXISTING LINES
While new lines will enhance Singapore’s MRT network, maintaining and renewing existing lines is equally important, starting with the North-South, East-West, and North-East lines.
The North-South and East-West lines, which have served the population for 35 years, have undergone significant renewal since 2012, with three out of six core systems already replaced, including signalling systems, sleepers, and third rails.
Currently, the power supply system renewal is over 80 percent complete, having replaced 1,050 kilometers of cables and equipment across 63 stations.
Track circuit replacements are approximately 93 percent complete, with over 1,000 circuits replaced to date.
“Our trains are in the final stages of testing on the mainline, and if all goes well, we expect to complete most core system replacements by this year,” said Mr. Iswaran.
Rail expansion is a key focus of Singapore’s efforts to improve its transport system from start to finish. By 2030, dedicated bus lanes will be implemented on 60 kilometers of Transit Priority Corridors, along with the addition of 800 kilometers of cycling paths and the transformation of roads for wider footpaths and pedestrian-friendly streets.
By 2040, there will be an additional 150 kilometers of covered linkways connecting train stations, residential areas, and amenities.
“Each of these initiatives is significant in its own right,” Mr. Iswaran concluded.
“But collectively, they will meet the needs and aspirations of Singaporeans for a sustainable, accessible, and resilient transport network.”
