Cross Island Line Is 50KM Long & Is S’pore’s Longest & Completely Underground MRT Line

The real concern: Would my data be strong enough for me to scroll through Instagram for my entire journey on the Cross Island Line MRT now that it’s completely underground?

After a long debate of whether the Cross Island MRT Line (CRL) should be built around or under the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, it has been decided that the CRL line would take the direct route under the nature reserve.

In other words, it would be completely underground.

Concerns With Wildlife  

Initially, nature groups and environmentalists had raised concerns that the direct route could have an impact on Singapore’s wildlife and nature.

The other route would include a 9km stretch, going around the reserve and going under homes and businesses.

However, the shorter travelling time (by about six minutes per commuter), lower transport fares (by about 15 per cent on average) and reduction in construction costs pushed the government for the direct route.

“In the longer term, it is a more environmentally-friendly option as the direct alignment has a lower energy consumption,” as mentioned by the Ministry of Transport.

Probably Singapore’s Most Ambitious Project

Well, since the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), that is.

The construction of the 43km-long TEL saw many innovative techniques. One of which was the “ground freezing” method where water-logged earth is frozen to form ice walls, so as to stabilise the ground during excavation works.

This time, the CRL would be 50km long, making it Singapore’s longest fully-underground tunnel.

It is expected to be completed sometime in the 2030s, and about half of its stations will serve as interchanges.

Here are some of the benefits for commuters.

Say Goodbye To The “Ulu” In Ulu Business And Industrial Districts

The Phase One of the CRL shows that the people working in Tampines Industrial Estate, Changi Aviation Park, Loyang Industrial Park and Defu Industrial Area (aka the ulu areas) would have direct access to those areas through the CRL.

The Jurong Lake District, Jurong Industrial Estate and Punggol Digital District will also benefit once the entire CRL is up.

Shorter Travelling Time, Longer Sleeping Time 

With the CRL, one can save up to 70 minutes travelling from Ang Mo Kio to Aviation Park (35 minutes).

Those travelling to Serangoon North to Loyang Industrial Park can expect their journey to take only 25 minutes! Total of 75 minutes saved.

And from travelling from Bright Hill to Pasir Ris East with the CRL line would save 80 minutes as the journey would only take 30 minutes.

That extra 70-80 minutes saved can be cashed in for more sleep!

Less Reliance On Taxis, Grab and Cars = More Money Saved

The Land Transport Master Plan aims to make the transport system more convenient, well-connected, inclusive and fast. 

Which also means most Singaporeans will take at most 45 minutes to commute to work by 2040.

The opening of Phase One of the 12 stations on the CRL will have more than 100,000 households enjoying the reduced travelling time.

With the connectivity and the reduce in travelling time, this would mean less reliance on taxis and cars.

No more rushing to book a Grab after waking up late for work!

A Less Crowded Train 

Finally! No more squeezing into an overly packed MRT. Does that also mean… higher chances for a seat on the MRT?

LTA estimates that CRL will have an initial ridership of 600,000, rising up to one million, thus making it Singapore’s most used line.

It will take off some load from the grandparents of MRT lines – the North-South and East-West Lines.

 Serangoon North Will Finally Be Seen 

… on the MRT map.

Residents in Serangoon North who heavily rely on buses for transportation are finally getting their spot on the map as one of the 12 stations along CRL Phase One.

And as for residents in Ang Mo Kio, with the CRL, only 45 minutes would be needed to get to almost everywhere in Singapore by public transport.

The eastern leg of the CRP will include a segment that extends to Punggol from Pasir Ris, which will mean that residents in Punggol can expect a 10 to 15 minute commute time as compared to the current 40-minute bus journey.

Are you excited for the CRL? I sure am.