The Cross Island Line (CRL) is a high capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line under development in Singapore. It will run in an east–west direction from Changi to Jurong Industrial Estate via Loyang, Pasir Ris, Hougang, Serangoon North, Ang Mo Kio, Sin Ming, Bukit Timah, Clementi and West Coast. From Pasir Ris, the line will branch off to Punggol. The 58-kilometre (36 mi) line will replace the East West Line as the longest line on the MRT network upon its complete opening by the 2040s, serving about 27 stations.
Plans for the line were first announced in 2013. The CRL is envisioned to serve various key hubs including the Jurong Lake District and the Punggol Digital District, offering an alternative east–west connection to alleviate passenger load on the East West line. Shortly after the announcement, calls were made by some nature groups to divert the line tunnels away from the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR). Nevertheless, the Government ultimately decided after years of assessments and deliberation to continue with the original direct route in 2019, citing commuting time and economic factors as well as long-term energy consumption. The alignment and stations for CRL1 were finalised in 2019, followed by the Punggol branch in 2020 and Phase 2 in 2022. The proposed full line is expected to have a daily ridership of over one million in the long term, and to cost an estimated S$40.7 billion.
History[]
The line was first announced by the Land Transport Authority on 17 January 2013.
Announcement[]
The Cross Island Line was first announced by Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew on 17 January 2013. The line was planned to relieve congestion on the existing East West Line and slated to begin at Changi on Singapore's eastern coast, passing through the major eastern towns including Pasir Ris, Hougang and Ang Mo Kio. From this point, it would proceed further west toward Bukit Timah, Clementi and West Coast, before terminating in the Jurong Industrial Estate. A branch line was to connect the mainline to Punggol. The line was planned to be 50 km long and open in 2030. Studies on the Cross Island Line began in May 2013.
Line alignment[]
Since its announcement, there has been controversy over the alignment of the line's Bukit Timah stretch crossing the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) and MacRitchie Reservoir, which prompted the Nature Society Singapore to call for the line's realignment. Environmental groups have urged the Government not to build the MRT line under the CCNR.
On 19 July 2013, the NSS put forward two proposed alternative alignments: a northern route that would run close to the Thomson–East Coast Line, heading west towards Mandai, Sungei Kadut and Gali Batu before terminating at Choa Chu Kang, and a southern route skirting the reserve along Lornie Road. One engineering professor Lee Der-Horng noted the possible feasibility of constructing the line through the reserve without impacting the environment, though he said the decision "shouldn’t be just based on transport".
A tender to assess the environmental impact of the line was called for on 24 February 2014 to facilitate civil works for the line. In July 2014, the LTA appointed Environmental Resources Management (S) Pte Ltd (ERM) to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the section of the line around and through the nature reserve. The EIA was to be conducted in two phases, with the first studying the ecosystem and physical conditions along both the straight and skirting alignments, as well as assessing how construction and operation of the line would affect the CCNR. The Phase 1 EIA report was released in February 2016.
Soil investigation works along the CCNR began in February 2017 and by October, was announced to be nearing completion by the end of the year. On 20 March 2018, the LTA declared that the findings on the environmental impact of drilling and other initial works would be completed later that year. The Phase 2 EIA report was released in September 2019. On 4 December 2019, the Ministry of Transport confirmed that the direct route underneath the CCNR had been chosen, with mitigating factors such as tunnelling deeper than usual under the CCNR as well as no surface works in the area. The construction cost is also expected to be $2 billion lower than the alternative alignments.
Phase 1[]
On 25 January 2019, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced the alignment of CRL Phase 1 (CRL1). This segment of the line, spanning 29 kilometres (18 mi), consists of 12 stations from Aviation Park station to Bright Hill station. A new 57-hectare Changi East Depot was to be built to serve the line. CRL Phase 1 was expected to be completed in 2030.
Punggol Extension[]
On 10 March 2020, a branch line from Pasir Ris station to Punggol station was announced. The 7.3-kilometre (4.5 mi) Punggol extension, consisting of four stations between this station and Punggol, was expected to be completed in 2031. However, the restrictions imposed on construction works due to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to delays and the completion dates for CRL1 and CRLe were pushed by one year to 2030 and 2032 respectively. Construction of CRL1 officially began on 18 January 2023. As of January 2022, there are no plans to extend the Punggol branch to Jalan Kayu. Member of Parliament Gan Thiam Poh also proposed to extend the CRL Punggol branch to Yio Chu Kang station, which will serve those living in Fernvale and Yio Chu Kang, but the suggestion was rejected by transport minister Chee Hong Tat.
Phase 2[]
In December 2021, as part of a virtual exhibition by the LTA, a future system map depicted a series of 11 unnamed stations on the western half of the CRL. The map also showed the western segment interchanging with existing and under-construction stations: King Albert Park, Clementi, Jurong Pier and Gul Circle stations. The map, along with the virtual exhibition, has since been offline. The LTA explained that the route was a "conceptual alignment" yet to be finalised, with the interchange stations being tentative.
On 20 September 2022, then Transport Minister S. Iswaran confirmed the stations for Phase 2 of the CRL. Expected to open in 2032, the 15-kilometre (9.3 mi) segment spans six stations from Turf City station to Jurong Lake District station. Construction of these stations is expected to start in 2023.
On 7 July 2025, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at Clementi station, marking the official beginning of the construction of Phase 2.
Phase 3[]
Based on tender documents, The Straits Times projected in February 2022 that civil works for the CRL might be completed by end-2033, with operations beginning in 2034 or later. The CRL is to be completed in three phases. However, the LTA stated that the exact timeline is unclear and will only be known with the completion of advanced engineering studies. It is projected that the second and third phases will be about 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) and 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) long respectively. The Phase 3 segment is predicted to have four stations, with tentative stations CR21 and CR24 on the Phase 3 segment interchanging with the Jurong Region line and the East West line. An additional shell station might be built as part of the segment. As of 20 February 2022, engineering studies for Phase 3 have not yet been completed, and is targeted to be completed by the end of 2025.
Future plans[]
In conceptual plans for the redevelopment of Paya Lebar Air Base, an additional station (labelled "PLAB") has been proposed between Defu and Tampines North stations to serve the new developments.
Cross Island Line Stations[]
| Station Name | Level | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Changi Terminal 5 | B3 | 20m |
| Aviation Park | B2 | 10m |
| Loyang | ||
| Pasir Ris East | B3 | 17m |
| Pasir Ris | B4 | 25m |
| Tampines North | B3 | 17m |
| Defu | ||
| Hougang | ||
| Serangoon North | ||
| Tavistock | B2 | 12m |
| Ang Mo Kio | B3 | 18m |
| Teck Ghee | ||
| Sin Ming | B4 | 24m |
| Turf City | ||
| King Albert Park | B8 | 50m |
| Maju | B3 | 20m |
| Clementi | B2 | 12m |
| West Coast | ||
| Jurong Lake District | ||
| Punggol Extension | ||
| Pasir Ris | B5 | 32m |
| Elias | B3 | 18m |
| Riviera | ||
| Punggol | B4 | 24m |
Overview[]
Targeted to be completed by 2030, it will offer East-West commuters an alternative to the existing East West Line. It will also connect to all the other major lines to serve as a key transfer line, complementing the role currently fulfilled by the orbital Circle Line.[1]
The eastern leg of the line will include a segment that extends into the centre of Punggol. Residents in Punggol will be able to travel to Pasir Ris, a popular and much demanded travel route within 10 to 15 minutes, compared to a 40-minute bus journey.[2]
Based on the Ministry of National Development Land Use Plan,[3] this line is expected to interchange with the East West Line at Tuas Crescent, Clementi and Pasir Ris, Downtown Line at Sixth Avenue, Thomson Line at Sin Ming, North South Line at Ang Mo Kio, and the North East Line at Hougang and Punggol.
Alignment controversy[]
Since its announcement on 17 January 2013, there have been a controversy over the alignment of the line's Bukit Timah stretch as it appears to cut through part of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and MacRitchie Reservoir hence, prompting the Nature Society Singapore to call for a change in the alignment of the line although the Land Transport Authority insisted that the alignment of the line was not finalised as soil investigations and feasibility studies have yet to be conducted until an Environmental Impact Assessment was commissioned to study the impact the line would have on the natural habitats of the reserve. Various stakeholders, including nature and environmental groups, will be engaged and consulted to ensure that their views and concerns are accommodated as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment study. On 19 July 2013, the NSS has put forward, in a position paper, two proposed alternative alignments for this stretch of the Cross Island Line.[4]
The proposed alignments include a northern route that would run close to the Thomson Line, heading west towards Mandai, Sungei Kadut and Gali Batu before terminating at Choa Chu Kang, which will be an interchange to the North South Line, Bukit Panjang LRT and the upcoming Jurong Region Line. Another proposed alignment, a southern CCNR route, would run along Lornie Road, was cited to "add 1.7 kilometres to 2 kilometres to the Cross Island Line, and an estimated four minutes' additional travel time. It would present an opportunity to serve residents near Adam Road and visitors to the MacRitchie Reservoir Park", running almost parallel to the Circle Line's Marymount-Botanic Gardens stretch. However, engineers noted that "it may still be possible to construct the tunnels along the original proposed route without disturbing the nature reserve, but this must be examined in detail" and that a "straight rail line is better and cheaper from the engineering and operations point of view".[5]
The LTA is still studying all options and the final alignment will only be announced near the completion date.
Road Closures[]
Loyang[]
| Bus Service | Direction 1 | Direction 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | N/A | Loyang Ave, Loyang Way, Loyang Ave |
| 59 | Loyang Ave, Loyang Way, Loyang Ave | |
| 109 | N/A |
Pasir Ris East[]
| Bus Service | Direction 1 | Direction 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Pasir Ris Dr 3, Pasir Ris Dr 4, Pasir Ris St 12, Pasir Ris St 11, Pasir Ris Dr 1, Loyang Ave | Loyang Ave, Pasir Ris Dr 1, Pasir Ris St 11, Pasir Ris St 12, Pasir Ris Dr 4, Pasir Ris Dr 3 |
| 21 | Pasir Ris Dr 1, Pasir Ris St 12, Pasir Ris St 11, Pasir Ris Dr 1, Loyang Ave | Loyang Ave, Pasir Ris Dr 1 |
| 39 | Loyang Ave, Pasir Ris Dr 1, Pasir Ris St 11, Pasir Ris Dr 1 | |
| 53 | Loyang Ave, Pasir Ris Dr 1, Pasir Ris St 11, Pasir Ris St 12, Pasir Ris Dr 1 | |
| 81 | Loyang Ave, Pasir Ris Dr 1, Pasir Ris St 11, Pasir Ris Dr 1 | |
| 109 | N/A | Loyang Ave, Pasir Ris Dr 3, Pasir Ris Dr 2, Pasir Ris St 11, Pasir Ris Dr 1 |
Pasir Ris[]
| Bus Service | Direction 1 | Direction 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Pasir Ris Dr 1, Pasir Ris Dr 8, Pasir Ris Ctrl, Pasir Ris Dr 1 | Pasir Ris Dr 1, Pasir Ris Ctrl, Pasir Ris Dr 8, Pasir Ris Dr 1 |
| 53 | ||
| 81 | ||
| 109 | N/A | |
| 403 | Pasir Ris Dr 3, Pasir Ris Dr 4, Pasir Ris St 21, Pasir Ris Dr 2, Pasir Ris Dr 1, Loyang Ave, TPE (u-turn at Tampines Ave 10), Elias Rd | |
Alternative Travel[]
| Route | Changes |
|---|---|
| Pasir Ris Block 159 - Serangoon North Block 548 | CR4 Pasir Ris East Cross Island Line CR9 Serangoon North |
| 12 Flora Road - 88 Medway Drive | CR4 Pasir Ris East Cross Island Line CR10 Tavistock  88 Medway Drive |
| Punggol - Aviation Park | NE17PTCCP3 Punggol Cross Island Line CR2 Aviation Park |
| Punggol - Loyang Industrial Estate | NE17PTCCP3 Punggol Cross Island Line CR3 Loyang |
| Sengkang - Aviation Park | NE16STC Sengkang Cross Island Line CR2 Aviation Park |
| Sengkang - Loyang Industrial Estate | NE16STC Sengkang Cross Island Line CR3 Loyang |
| Hougang - Aviation Park | CR8 Hougang Cross Island Line CR2 Aviation Park |
| Hougang - Loyang Industrial Estate | CR8 Hougang Cross Island Line CR3 Loyang |
Cross Island Line (Time Savings)[]
| Route | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| SUSS/Ngee Ann Polytechnic/Maju Camp - Hougang Central | 65 mins | 35 mins |
| Sunset Way/Maju Station - Jurong Lake District | 40 mins | 20 mins |
| Bukit Panjang - West Coast | 45 mins | 25 mins |
| Jurong Lake District - Pasir Ris Central | 75 mins | 55 mins |
| Clementi - Loyang Industrial Area | 80 mins | 50 mins |
| West Coast - Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2 | 70 mins | 30 mins |
| Jurong Lake District - Sunset Way | 40 mins | 20 mins |
| West Coast - Pasir Ris Central | 70 mins | 45 mins |
| Punggol Central - Pasir Ris | 40 mins | 15 mins |
| Punggol East - Loyang Industrial Area | 45 mins | 20 mins |
| Elias - Hougang | 40 mins | 20 mins |
| Bright Hill - Pasir Ris East | 80 mins | 30 mins |
| Bright Hill - Hougang | 40 mins | 20 mins |
| Defu - Pasir Ris East | 30 mins | 15 mins |
| Defu - Ang Mo Kio Central | 40 mins | 15 mins |
| Tampines North - Ang Mo Kio | 50 mins | 20 mins |
| Tampines North - Loyang Industrial Area | 40 mins | 10 mins |
| Pasir Ris East - Ang Mo Kio | 60 mins | 25 mins |
| Pasir Ris East - Bright Hill | 80 mins | 30 mins |
| Serangoon North - Loyang Industrial Area | 75 mins | 25 mins |
| Serangoon North - Pasir Ris | 40 mins | 15 mins |
| Tavistock - Aviation Park | 95 mins | 30 mins |
| Tavistock - Sin Ming | 30 mins | 10 mins |
| Aviation Park - Ang Mo Kio | 105 mins | 35 mins |
| Aviation Park - Tavistock | 95 mins | 30 mins |
| Loyang Industrial Area - Hougang | 55 mins | 20 mins |
| Loyang Industrial Area - Serangoon North | 75 mins | 25 mins |
| Ang Mo Kio - Aviation Park | 105 mins | 35 mins |
| Ang Mo Kio - Pasir Ris | 60 mins | 25 mins |
| Pasir Ris - Ang Mo Kio | ||
| Pasir Ris - Defu Industrial Estate | 35 mins | 15 mins |
Changes:
| From | To | Getting There | Transfers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elias | Hougang | 58 to Tampines Avenue 10 > 72 to Hougang | 1 |
| Hougang | Loyang Industrial Area | 72 to Tampines > 4 / 37 / 81 to Tampines East > 59 to Loyang Industrial Area | 2 |
| Sin Ming | 165 to Ang Mo Kio > 130 to Sin Ming | 1 | |
| Ngee Ann Polytechnic | 165 to Ulu Pandan Road > 61 to Ngee Ann Polytechnic | ||
| Punggol | Pasir Ris | 3 or 39 | N/A |
| Riviera | Loyang Industrial Area | 3 or 39 to Loyang Avenue > 59 to Loyang Industrial Area | 1 |
| Serangoon North | 25 or 55 to Eunos Link > 59 to Loyang Industrial Area | ||
| Pasir Ris | 25 or 55 to Hougang CC > 81 to Pasir Ris | ||
| Tavistock | Aviation Park | 25 to Eunos > East West Line to Tanah Merah > 35 to Aviation Park | 2 (1 train and 2 buses) |
| Sin Ming | 25 or 165 to Ang Mo Kio > 162 to Sin Ming | 1 | |
| Aviation Park | Ang Mo Kio Central | 19 to Godric's Hollow > Downtown Line to MacPherson > Circle Line to Serangoon > 22 to Ang Mo Kio | 3 (2 trains and 2 buses) |
| Tavistock | 19 to Godric's Hollow > Downtown Line to MacPherson > Circle Line to Serangoon > 317 to Serangoon Gardens | ||
| Loyang Industrial Area | Hougang | 109 | N/A |
| Serangoon North | 59 to Eunos Link > 25 to Serangoon North | 1 | |
| Pasir Ris | Defu Industrial Area | 53 or 81 | N/A |
| Ang Mo Kio | 81 to Hougang CC > 25 to Ang Mo Kio | 1 | |
| Pasir Ris East | |||
| Sin Ming | 81 to Hougang CC > 25 to Ang Mo Kio > 162 to Sin Ming | 2 | |
| Tampines North | Ang Mo Kio | 72 to Hougang CC > 25 to Ang Mo Kio | 1 |
| Loyang Industrial Area | 68 / 127 / 296 to Tampines > 4 / 37 / 81 to Tampines East > 59 to Loyang Industrial Area | 2 | |
| Ang Mo Kio | Aviation Park | 25 to Eunos > East West Line to Tanah Merah > 35 to Aviation Park | 2 (1 train and 2 buses) |
| Sin Ming | Hougang | 130 to Ang Mo Kio > 25 / 73 / 76 to Serangoon North > 165 to Hougang | 2 |
| Pasir Ris East | 130 to Ang Mo Kio > 25 to Hougang CC > 81 to Pasir Ris East | ||
| Bukit Panjang | West Coast | Downtown Line to Botanic Gardens > Circle Line to Haw Par Villa > 30 to West Coast | 2 (2 trains and 1 bus) |
| Clementi | Loyang Industrial Area | East West Line to Tampines > 4 / 37 / 81 to Tampines East > 59 to Loyang Industrial Area | |
| Jurong Lake District | Pasir Ris | 154 to Lakeside or Clementi > East West Line to Pasir Ris | 1 |
| Sunset Way | 154 | N/A | |
| West Coast | Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2 | 30 to Teban Gardens > 79 to Jurong East > North South Line to Ang Mo Kio > 25 / 73 / 76 to Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2 | 3 (3 buses and 1 train) |
| Pasir Ris | 30 to Teban Gardens > 79 to Jurong East > East West Line to Pasir Ris | 2 (2 buses and 1 train) |
External links[]
References[]
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