Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded the civil contract for the design and construction of tunnels between the West Coast station (CR18) and Jurong Lake District station (CR19) (working names) for Cross Island Line (CRL) Phase 2 to Nishimatsu Construction Co., Ltd. – Okumura Corporation Singapore Branch Joint Venture (JV). The contract is valued at around SGD 242 million (USD 178 million).
Nishimatsu Construction Co., Ltd is currently constructing the bored tunnels between Tampines North station (CR6) and Defu station (CR7) (working names).
They have previously completed tunnelling works at Keppel station for Circle Line 6 as well as Gardens by the Bay station for the Thomson-East Coast Line.
Okumura Corporation similarly is experienced in tunnelling works locally and abroad, having worked on projects such as the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System as well as the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway and Taipei MRT Airport Line.
Engineering highlights
This contract encompasses the construction of twin bored tunnels, each extending 2.4 km beneath the Sungei Pandan canal and key infrastructure such as the West Coast Highway and Ayer Rajah Expressway.
These tunnels are projected to reach depths of up to 40 metres, surpassing the typical 30-meter depth for other stations.
The ground conditions in this area predominantly consist of weathered soil and hard sedimentary rock.
Real-time monitoring and safety measures will be implemented during the tunnelling works.
LTA and the contractors will implement necessary mitigation measures to ensure ground stability and safe construction and minimise impact on nearby stakeholders and infrastructure.
Construction works are expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2024 and passenger service for CRL Phase 2 is targeted to commence in 2032.
CRL is Singapore’s eighth MRT line
The CRL is Singapore’s eighth MRT line. It will serve existing and future developments in the eastern, north-eastern and western corridors, linking major hubs such as Jurong Lake District, Punggol Digital District and Changi region.
The CRL will have almost half of its stations as interchanges with other rail lines, making it easier and more convenient for commuters to travel across the rail network.
The fully underground CRL will be constructed in three phases.
Announced in 2019, CRL Phase 1 is 29 km long, and comprises 12 stations. Construction works have commenced and is targeted to be completed by 2030.
CRL Phase 2, announced in September 2022, is approximately 15 km and comprises six underground stations.
Engineering studies for the CRL Phase 3 are ongoing and more details will be announced after these studies are completed.
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