Singapore has officially commenced construction on Phase 2 of the Cross Island Line (CRL), marking a significant milestone in the city-state’s ongoing efforts to expand and enhance its public transport network. The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the future site of Clementi station, with officials highlighting the transformative impact the new line will bring to the western region of Singapore. This phase will see the addition of six underground MRT stations, all targeted for completion by 2032.
The six stations—Turf City, King Albert Park, Maju, Clementi, West Coast, and Jurong Lake District—are designed to improve accessibility and connectivity for residents in areas that currently lack direct MRT service. Two of these, Clementi and King Albert Park, will serve as interchange stations, linking the CRL to the East-West and Downtown lines respectively. The remaining four stations will provide much-needed rail access to neighborhoods such as Sunset Way and West Coast, which have long relied on bus services for their daily commutes.
The 15-kilometre extension of the CRL is expected to significantly reduce travel times for commuters in the west. For example, a resident traveling from West Coast to Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park could save up to 40 minutes, cutting the journey from more than an hour by train and bus today to just 30 minutes on the CRL. Similarly, students commuting from Hougang to Ngee Ann Polytechnic will see their travel time drop from over an hour to just 35 minutes. These improvements underscore the government’s commitment to making public transport more efficient and accessible for all Singaporeans.
Once completed, the Cross Island Line will be Singapore’s eighth and longest fully underground MRT line, stretching over 50 kilometres and connecting major hubs across the island. With almost half of its stations serving as interchanges, the CRL is poised to greatly enhance the resilience and flexibility of the entire rail network, offering commuters more direct routes and alternative travel options during maintenance or service disruptions. The new phase is a key step toward the goal of having eight in ten homes within a 10-minute walk of a train station, further cementing Singapore’s reputation as a leader in urban mobility and sustainable transport planning.
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(Source: Singapore’s Ministry of Transport | China News Agency)
