Singapore’s Land Transport Authority has awarded two civil contracts for the design and construction of Cross Island Line Phase 1 stations and tunnels at a combined contract value of SGD 861 million. Construction works for Serangoon North and Tavistock stations are expected to start in the second quarter of this year, with passenger service for CRL1 slated to commence in 2030.

The first contract for the design and construction of Serangoon North station and tunnels has been awarded to Hock Lian Seng Infrastructure Pte Ltd at a contract value of SGD 454 million. Serangoon North station is located under the busy dual lanes of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 and the Yio Chu Kang Road vehicular bridge. The station is wider than usual as there will be three railway tracks instead of two, with the additional track being used to facilitate the withdrawal or parking of trains. Traffic diversions will be implemented at various stages of the construction to provide the required working space for the station construction works. The underpass connection will be constructed by mining beneath the Yio Chu Kang Road vehicular bridge, instead of the typical cut-and-cover method. This mining method will allow the construction of the underpass connection to be carried out without affecting the Yio Chu Kang Road vehicular bridge, hence minimising the inconvenience to motorists. LTA and the contractor will closely monitor the works to ensure that they are carried out safely with minimal impact to nearby stakeholders and existing structures.

The second contract for the design and construction of Tavistock station and tunnels has been awarded to Sato Kogyo (S) Pte Ltd at a contract value of SGD 407 million. Tavistock station is located along the busy roads of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 and surrounded by residential and commercial properties. To overcome space constraints, the intermediate launch shaft for the deployment of the tunnel boring machines will be constructed a distance away from the construction site. Tunnelling works will proceed west towards CRL Ang Mo Kio station as well as east towards the next station at Serangoon North, passing through Tavistock station. The ground at Tavistock station is made up of Old Alluvium, a predominantly soil-like material comprising sandy and silty clay. This abrasive ground condition is expected to cause some wear to the cutting equipment on the tunnel boring machines. LTA and the contractor will pay close attention to the tunnelling equipment and overall works to ensure they are carried out in a safe and timely manner with minimal impact to existing structures.

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. CRL1 is 29 kilometres long and comprises 12 stations from Aviation Park to Bright Hill. This will serve residential and industrial areas in Loyang, Tampines, Pasir Ris, Defu, Hougang, Serangoon North and Ang Mo Kio and benefit more than 100,000 households. With CRL1, common recreational spaces such as Changi Beach Park and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park will be more accessible by public transport. Studies on the details of subsequent CRL phases are ongoing.

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