The new CRL station will allow commuters to save 70 minutes of travel time between Ang Mo Kio and Aviation Park, bringing it to just 35 minutes. Travel time from Ang Mo Kio to Pasir Ris will also be reduced to 25 minutes from one hour.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said construction works on the Ang Mo Kio interchange MRT station under the Cross Island Line (CRL) is slated to commence in Q4 2021, with passenger service expected to start in 2030, reported Channel News Asia (CNA).
Once completed, the Ang Mo Kio station will be an interchange between the North-South Line (NSL) and the CRL.
It will feature entrances that are directly connected to various residential blocks, Ang Mo Kio Integrated Transport Hub, AMK Hub and Ang Mo Kio Town Garden East.
Two of its new entrances will be linked via underpasses across Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 and Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3.
The new CRL station will allow commuters to save 70 minutes of travel time between Ang Mo Kio and Aviation Park, bringing it to just 35 minutes. Travel time from Ang Mo Kio to Pasir Ris will also be reduced to 25 minutes from one hour.
LTA noted that Ang Mo Kio station will be an underground station situated next to the junction of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 and Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3.
With the station located near the NSL viaduct and surrounding structures, the project’s progress will be closely monitored by LTA and the contractor to ensure that all works are safely carried out, with minimal impact to existing structures.
LTA shared that deep excavation works for the station will be done under “challenging ground conditions” since the rock is usually weaker at the transition point between “old alluvium”, which is a predominantly soil-like material, and Bukit Timah granite formation.
“This requires the use of specially-designed machinery to carry out the excavation works safely,” said LTA as quoted by CNA.
The existing Ang Mo Kio station will also be retrofitted with additional escalators while its concourse area will be reconfigured.
“(This is) to facilitate seamless transfer and enhance connectivity for commuters at the station,” said LTA.
To minimise inconvenience to commuters, LTA said it will coordinate with SMRT for it to carry out the majority of the addition and alternation works during non-operating hours.
It added that it has awarded the $644 million design and construction contract for Ang Mo Kio station and tunnels to a joint venture between Gammon Construction and Engineering as well as Bachy Soletanche Singapore.
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Currently, both companies are involved in infrastructure and building projects within the city-state.
With a “strong track record of undertaking infrastructure and building projects locally and abroad”, Gammon Construction and Engineering is presently involved in the construction of Mayflower station and Havelock station along the TEL.
It was also previously involved in the construction of Downtown Line’s Chinatown station.
Bachy Soletanche Singapore, on the other hand, is presently involved in the design and construction of the tunnel between Novena Rise and Suffolk Walk in Newton for the North-South Corridor (NSC). The firm is also involved in TEL projects like Gardens by the Bay, Orchards and Tanjong Rhu stations.
CRL’s first phase will run between Aviation Park and Bright Hill, featuring 12 stations.
As Singapore’s eighth MRT line, it will benefit over 100,000 households in Tampines, Loyang, Defu, Pasir Ris, Serangoon North, Ang Mo Kio and Hougang. With the line, common recreational spaces like Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Changi Beach Park will be more accessible by public transport.
LTA said studies on the details of subsequent phases of CRL are ongoing.
The line will also connect major hubs such as Punggol Digital District, Changi Region and Jurong Lake District.
“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,” said LTA.
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Victor Kang, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this story, email: victorkang@propertyguru.com.sg
