The Cross Island Line (CRL) is the eighth Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Singapore. It is the longest fully underground line at more than 50 kilometres long. When fully operational, CRL will serve commuters in the eastern, western, and north-eastern corridors. It will connect major hubs such as Jurong Lake District, Punggol Digital District, and Changi region. Recently, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) awarded a $571.51m (S$780m) civil contract for the design and construction of tunnels between Aviation Park station and Changi East Depot. This contract will be a part of the Cross Island Line Phase 1 (CRL1).
The 6km Long CRL1 Tunnel Construction
LTA awarded the civil contract to a joint venture between Shanghai Tunnel Engineering (Singapore) Pte Ltd – LT Sambo (Singapore Branch). The two companies will together design and construct the 6km long tunnel under Aviation Park Road at around 20m below ground level.
LTA said in a statement: “The ground conditions in this area are expected to be challenging as they comprise thick layers of underlying soft marine clay and extensive works will have to be carried out to strengthen the soil condition to ensure that construction works proceed safely.”
Recently, LTA conducted an emergency preparedness exercise along with SMRT Corporation and SBS Transit. Commuters taking the North-East Line and Circle Line went through security screening on December 7, 2021. Commuters with bulky items were required to clear security checks and get their belongings scanned by X-ray machines.
Along with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), LTA is also working with the two operators - SMRT and SBS Transit train their workforce. The teams have established a workplace learning concept under SkillsFuture Singapore wherein staff, engineers and technicians can continue to upgrade their skill sand learn how to use advanced technologies without needing to find additional time outside of working hours. Commenting on this, SMRT CEO, Neo Kian Hong, said, “Beyond technical competency, our strategy is to cultivate an SMRT culture anchored by good leaders who lead an organisation that is continually learning and people who are continually improving. We have established Leadership Development programmes, the Learning Organisation initiative and the Kaizen campaigns to drive this.”
Now, coming back to the Cross Island Line construction. It is expected to be completed by 2030. The CRL Line will be constructed in three phases. In September this year, the LTA awarded a civil contract worth $557.48m for the construction of Loyang station and tunnels under the first phase of CRL.
The first phase of CRL - CRL1, is a 29km long MRT network comprising 12 stations from Aviation Park to Bright Hill. More than 100,000 households will benefit from CRL1. Commuters living in and near Changi Beach Park and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park will be able to access public transport easily once the CRL1 is up and running.
Conclusion
LTA is working with design and construction companies - Shanghai Tunnel Engineering (Singapore) Pte Ltd – LT Sambo - to build the Cross Island Line (CRL) in order to bring greater accessibility and better rail connectivity across the island. The CRL Line will also connect to all the other major MRT lines to serve as a key transfer line.
About the Author
Jiyun Kim
Jiyun is a design lead at a leading metro car manufacturing company in Germany. She loves to work on the design of metro car interiors so commuters can enjoy a comfortable ride. Besides working as design lead, Jiyun also loves to share insights into the latest developments in the transportation industry.
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