The system of MRT Cross Island Line(CRL) specifically the Phase 1 agreed and worked out.
Khaw Boon Wan, the transport minister said that the area covers 29 Km long, with 12 stations and penetrates via Loyang, Changi, Ang Mo Kio and Hougang. He revealed it last January 25, Friday.
Upon its completion on 2029, there will be over 100,000 households which benefits fast connectivity and reduced travelling time, MR Khaw added.
He added, a station over CRL known as the Bright Hill and which can be found along Thomson-East Coast Line, will be stretched more so it will be transformed into an interchange station together with CRL.
The Phase 1 over CRL will yield three more interchanges, the Ang Mo Kio around North-South Line, Hougang for the busy North East Line and Pasir Ris for East-West Line.
The CRL is considered as the 8th MRT line of Singapore.
Mr Khaw divulged that its corresponding depot which is the Changi East Depot, turns to be the outer depot and not the underground depot per the original plan.
He also reported that the initial stage of Thomson-East Coast Line will be launched months before December 2019.
The CRL is foreseen to have a 600,000 rideship daily in the first days of its operation and soon it is expected to reach one million, making it the most busy, used rail line.
It is predicted that the CRL will have an initial daily ridership of 600,000, and eventually one million, making it Singapore’s most heavily used rail line.
The Phase 1 will be constructed starting next year, 2020 and four of which would be the interchanges connecting other lines.
The stations will be built in such a way that eight-cars can be accommodated but during its initial operation, line caters six-car trains yet.
The line prioritize the areas which have zero access to MRT like the Serangoon North, Serangoon Gardens and Changi’s Aviation Park. The line will be stretched more as far as to Changi Airport.
Mr Khaw told the whole CRL favors the hubs surrounding the famous Central Business District, thus work are just walking distance from their homes.
He explained that CRL somehow divides the passenger load of the East-West, North East and North-South lines so congestion among commuters will be reduced.
Mr Khaw further added, “Commuters have a lot of choices for their trips or transportation. Majority will enjoy faster and shorter travel time.”
The CRL passes via the route going to Paya Lebar airbase, which is planned to be transferred on 2030 in a freed up area of more or less 800ha.
However, there is no station that will be included in the expansion.
The CRL stage 1 construction will hit the eight properties involved with partial ownership and as follows: Ang Mo Kio Hub, Kong Meng San Monastery located in Bright Hill, Gain City Best-Electric in Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2, Loyang Industrial Park, Daikin Airconditioning in Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2, Hitachi Chemical around Loyang Way, Loyang Valley condominium of Loyang Avenue and Loyang Avenue’s electrical substation.
Approximately a land area of 4,508 sq m will be involved and no physical structure on the land that will be destroyed or affected thus relocation is no longer needed.
There are no information divulge yet as to the next stage which is the CRL’s second stage., which has a greater chances for building tunnels under Singapore’s Nature Reserve.
The entire line is expected for its total completion by following year, 2030. This doubles the rail network of Singapore to 360 Km thus making the 80 percent of the residents reach the station in just a matter of a 10 -minute walk heading to the station.
Charissa He, a commuter shared, she is overjoyed for the presence of a station around Serangoon North because soon this area will be her future home.
A perfect line, as it permits commuters to move to other lines quickly and reduces choke points, marketing professional told.
