Construction starts on Singapore’s Cross Island Line – Punggol Extension

The event was officiated by acting minister for transport Chee Hong Tat at the site of the future CPe Riviera MRT station.

The Land Transport Authority project comprises a 7.3km line and four stations – Punggol, Riviera, Elias and Pasir Ris. Three of the stations will serve as interchanges with other rail lines. CPe Pasir Ris station will link to the East-West Line, CPe Punggol station to the North East Line, and CPe Riviera station will link to the Punggol LRT Line.

The CPe will connect to the main Cross Island Line (CRL) at Pasir Ris station. Construction works for the 12 CRL Phase 1 stations (Aviation Park to Bright Hill) commenced in January this year. LTA is progressively calling tenders for CRL Phase 2, which comprises six stations from Turf City to Jurong Lake District. Engineering studies are ongoing for the third phase of the CRL.

The Punggol extension, which is expected to be operation in 2032, will provide better rail connectivity and greater accessibility for residents living in eastern Singapore. New growth areas such as Punggol Digital District and Changi Aviation Park will also benefit from extension.

As the CPe will be constructed near existing residential and industrial areas, the LTA said innovative technologies and construction methods would be used the impact and to deliver the project effectively.

On some sections quieter machinery, such as electric excavators and battery power pack generators will be used; a robotic shotcrete machine will be deployed to construct a mined section of the tunnel, which will improve safety and productivity while reducing reliance on labour; customised reinforcement bars, known as head-bars, will be installed at appropriate sections of Riviera station, to streamline installation and increase productivity.

A 12.6m diameter TBM will construct the twin-track tunnels between Elias station and Punggol station, via Riviera station in a single bore.

The 50km CRL will be Singapore’s eighth and longest fully underground MRT line. It will be constructed in three phases. CRL Phase 1 is 29km long and comprises 12 stations from Aviation Park to Bright Hill. CRL Phase 2, announced in September 2022, is approximately 15km and comprises six underground stations. Engineering studies for the CRL Phase 3 are ongoing.