Works on Turf City MRT station of the Cross Island Line to start in Q3 2024

Artist’s Impression of Turf City MRT station entrance for the Cross Island Line. (Image: LTA)

Construction works for Turf City MRT station along the second phase of the Cross Island Line (CRL2) are expected to start in the third quarter of this year, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Monday (May 27).

Spanning over 50 kilometres, CRL is Singapore’s eighth MRT line, connecting major hubs such as Jurong Lake District, Punggol Digital District and the Changi region.

LTA Awards Civil Contract for Design and Construction of CRL Turf City Station under the Cross Island Line Phase 2

CR 14 Turf City MRT station

Artist’s Impression of Turf City MRT station concourse for the Cross Island Line. (Image: LTA)

Contract CR203 for the design and construction of Turf City MRT station and its associated tunnels for CRL2, valued at around $530 million, has been awarded to the joint venture of Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Obayashi Corporation.

LTA said the joint venture has established track records in local rail projects, such as being awarded the contract to design and construct tunnels between Fairways Drive and Sin Min Walk under CRL2 in December 2022.

It added that Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co (Singapore) is in the final stages of completing Katong Park and Bayshore MRT stations of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) stage 4, having previously completed the construction of Shenton Way MRT station under TEL stage 3.

RELATED: 7 New MRT Stations for Thomson-East Coast Line 4 Opening on Jun 23, 2024 »

Additionally, Obayashi Corporation previously constructed Dhoby Ghaut MRT station of the North East Line (NEL), which opened for passenger service in 2003.

Turf City is currently a working station name and will be finalised in the future.

Construction works are expected to be challenging

Location of Turf City MRT station of the Cross Island Line. (Image: LTA)

LTA highlighted that construction works are expected “to be challenging” due to the varying soil conditions at the MRT station’s construction site along Turf Club Road near the former Grandstand.

“In particular the harder ground conditions of the Bukit Timah granite formation which requires the use of specialised techniques to carry out excavation works safely.”

Earth retaining and stabilising structures will be installed to ensure safety and ground stability before excavation and construction work on the station structure start.

LTA and the contractors will “monitor works closely and implement necessary mitigation measures to ensure safe construction with minimal impact to nearby stakeholders and infrastructure”.

Environmental Impact Assessment for works near Eng Neo Forest

The site of the future Turf City MRT station in 2022. (Image: Screengrab from Google Earth)

LTA had conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for works near Eng Neo Forest, which involved engaging nature groups in identifying flora and fauna in the vicinity of the worksite and developing mitigation measures to minimise environmental impact.

The mitigation measures from the EIA involve installing barriers along the roadside to prevent fauna from wandering onto the road and to guide them safely towards other forest patches.

“Road calming” measures, such as speed bumps and speed limit signage, will be implemented on the construction site’s access roads, reminding drivers to slow down and to look out for animals.

“LTA will continue to engage nature groups and other stakeholders to keep them informed about the construction progress and mitigation measures, which have been put in place as part of the Environmental Monitoring and Management Plan,” it added.

Shorter travelling times with the Cross Island Line

Turf City MRT station is one of six MRT stations along Cross Island Line Phase 2. (Image: SGTrains Graphics)

CRL phase 2 is approximately 15 kilometres long, comprising six underground stations, serving areas such as Sunset Way and West Coast that are currently not linked to an MRT line.

“With the improved connectivity, CRL phase 2 will shorten travel times for commuters travelling to and from the western parts of Singapore,” LTA had said.

LTA estimated that travelling times between Turf City and Pasir Ris Central will almost be halved, from 60 minutes today to 35 minutes with the CRL.

Construction works for Turf City MRT station are expected to start in the third quarter of this year, with CRL phase 2 targeted to commence passenger service in 2032.

READ MORE: Clementi & King Albert Park MRT Stations of the Cross Island Line To Start Construction in Q1 2024 »

Turf City site near Bukit Timah to have up to 20,000 homes

Artist’s Impression of the repurposed Grandstand and central open spaces. (Image: URA)

Last Thursday, National Development Minister Desmond Lee announced the plan for a new housing estate at Turf City in Bukit Timah over the next 20 to 30 years.

The plan includes approximately 15,000 to 20,000 public and private homes and is the first time in 40 years that public housing is planned in Bukit Timah.

“This is to meet the growing aspirations among Singaporeans to live closer to their workplaces in the city,” the Minister added.

For more information, the public can visit the Bukit Timah Turf City Exhibition at the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Centre from May 23 to Jul 23, 2024.

Check Out Other Related Posts

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Maju MRT Station of the Cross Island Line To Start Construction in Q2 2024

Clementi & King Albert Park MRT Stations of the Cross Island Line To Start Construction in Q1 2024

Related Links
Cross Island Line – SGTrains

External Links
LTA Awards Civil Contract for Design and Construction of CRL Turf City Station and Tunnels under the Cross Island Line Phase 2 – LTA
Bukit Timah Turf City Exhibition – URA
Speech by Minister Desmond Lee at The Launch of The Bukit Timah Turf City Exhibition – MND

Images: LTA, Screengrab from Google Earth, SGTrains Graphics, URA.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.