Ravi Chandran
LTA awards civil contract for design and construction of Pasir Ris Interchange Station and tunnels for the Cross Island Line Phase 1
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on 26 April that it has awarded the civil contract for the design and construction of Pasir Ris interchange station and tunnels for the Cross Island Line (CRL) to Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. – Dongah Geological Engineering Co., Ltd, Singapore Branch Joint Venture, at a total contract value of $980 million.
This contract covers the design and construction of Pasir Ris station and tunnels, as well as addition and alteration works to the existing Pasir Ris station along the East-West Line (EWL).
LTA said Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. and Dongah Geological Engineering Co., Ltd, Singapore Branch have established track records in providing design-and-build construction services for infrastructure such as rail stations and tunnels locally and abroad.
It pointed out that Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. is currently involved in the construction of Stevens station and tunnels for the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). Dongah Geological Engineering Co., Ltd, Singapore Branch is also currently working on the construction of Great World station and tunnels for TEL.
Construction works for the CRL Pasir Ris station are expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2021, with passenger service planned to commence in 2030.
About the CRL
The CRL is Singapore’s eighth MRT line. It will serve existing and future developments in the eastern, north-eastern and western corridors, linking major hubs such as Jurong Lake District, Punggol Digital District and Changi region. 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.
CRL1 is 29 kilometres long and comprises 12 stations from Aviation Park to Bright Hill[1]. This will serve residential and industrial areas in Loyang, Tampines, Pasir Ris, Defu, Hougang, Serangoon North and Ang Mo Kio and benefit more than 100,000 households. With CRL1, common recreational spaces such as Changi Beach Park and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park will be more accessible by public transport. Studies on the details of subsequent CRL phases are ongoing.
Mr Paul Ho, chief officer at iCompareLoan, noted that with the construction of Pasir Ris Station and CRL travel time will be greatly reduced.
“This is good news for the residents living in Pasir Ris and is in the direction of the Government’s initiative to remake that heartlands,” he added.
Unveiled by the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally in 2007, the Remaking Our Heartland initiative was launched as a new comprehensive blueprint to renew and further develop existing HDB towns and estates, to ensure sustainability and vibrancy of the HDB heartlands and to make Singapore a distinctive and endearing home for all.
Mature, middle-aged or young HDB estates are home to many generations of Singaporeans. Through the Remaking Our Heartland (ROH) programme, exciting plans have been drawn up to renew our HDB estates, with blueprints tailored to meeting the changing needs of our community. Each HDB estate will build on what makes it unique – to capitalise on the distinct characteristics of each area. These plans would remake our HDB towns and estates, ensuring that it remain relevant, vibrant and sustainable.
Punggol, Yishun and Dawson were the first heartland towns and estates selected in 2007 to undergo ROH. Subsequently in 2011, East Coast, Hougang and Jurong Lake areas were selected for the ROH 2 programme.
In March 2015, it was announced that Toa Payoh, Woodlands and Pasir Ris will be the next HDB towns to undergo the ROH 3 programme. In drawing up the rejuvenation plans, HDB had actively engaged residents and stakeholders in the early stages of the planning to participate in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) held in June and July 2015. HDB has taken into consideration the inputs of the FGD participants when developing the ROH 3 plans.
The renewal plans for Woodlands, Toa Payoh and Pasir Ris have been finalised and we welcome you to view the ROH 3 plans drawn up for these areas.
HDB announced in April 2017 that its ‘Remaking Pasir Ris’ plans would feature refreshed town centre, upgraded parks, as well as new houing by the park. Known for its beaches, parks and recreational facilities, Pasir Ris will retain all these and more, even as it is rejuvenated under the ROH programme. The proposals for Remaking Pasir Ris is aimed at reinvigorating this urban sanctuary, and are focused on four key strategies:
- Transforming the town centre into a vibrant hub
- Enhancing nature living with upgraded parks and new housing by the park
- Enlivening community spaces in the neighbourhoods
- Improving connectivity
Under the Remaking Pasir Ris plan, the Pasir Ris Town Centre, located at the heart of the town, will be transformed into a vibrant hub with the development of a new mixed-use commercial and residential development. To be integrated with a bus interchange, the new development will offer seamless connection to public transport services and a wide range of commercial facilities, all under one roof. The new bus interchange will also be designed to incorporate a new dedicated pick-up and drop-off area for full-time National Servicemen (NSF) undergoing military training in Pulau Tekong.
The Remaking Pasir Ris plans will also see the town centre being transformed into a lively community hub and the history of Pasir Ris (along with the early stories of the town) being preserved through a Heritage Garden.
The ambitious plan will also see Pasir Ris Park and Beach – popular recreation spots for residents and visitors alike – being rejuvenated with more recreational facilities and play spaces to improve the overall beach experience. These will include more sand play areas at Pasir Ris Beach to encourage family and community activities, and upgrading of the existing pavilions and toilet facilities in Pasir Ris Park.
The Pasir Ris Town Park, which houses a fishing pond familiar to the residents, will also undergo a makeover under the Remaking Pasir Ris plan. With the makeover, residents can look forward to new dining options in the park, with the completion of a new hawker centre later this year.
In addition, residents can also look forward to a better overall walking and cycling experience throughout the town, with enhancements at three key connections, i.e. Central Greenway, Nature Ways, and River Ways.
