Construction is underway for six new underground MRT stations under Phase 2 of the Cross Island Line (CRL), slated for completion by 2032. Spanning 15km, the second phase will introduce two interchange stations—King Albert Park and Clementi—connecting commuters to the Downtown Line and East-West Line respectively. The other four working station names include Turf City, Maju, West Coast, and Jurong Lake District. When fully operational, Phases 1 and 2 of the CRL are expected to significantly cut travel time across the island, offering time savings of up to 40 minutes between locations like West Coast and Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park.
Once completed, the CRL is projected to serve at least 600,000 daily riders in its early years, growing to over a million over time. Described as Singapore’s final east–west line due to land constraints, the CRL will serve as an “outer ring” to better connect the existing network with future lines such as the Jurong Region Line. Eight of the announced 21 CRL stations will be interchanges, improving network resilience and allowing more flexible commuting routes. The system is also being built with future capacity in mind—six-car trains will be used at launch, with platforms designed to accommodate eight-car trains if needed.
Special attention has been given to the environmental impact of Phase 2, particularly as it passes through ecologically sensitive areas like the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Clementi Forest. Measures include constructing a freshwater marsh at King Albert Park, installing bird-safe infrastructure, and implementing wildlife-awareness training for workers. A 5km tunnel through the CCNR will be built using a single large-diameter boring machine to reduce ground disturbance. In line with its sustainability efforts, the Cross Island Line has been marked in green on MRT maps—a nod to its environmental considerations as well as its future-forward mission.
Source: AsiaOne
