Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded the civil contract for the design and construction of tunnels between the West Coast station and Jurong Lake District station (working names) for Cross Island Line Phase 2 (CRL2) to Nishimatsu Construction Co Ltd – Okumura Corporation Singapore Branch Joint Venture (JV).

Valued at around S$242 million, this contract encompasses the construction of twin bored tunnels, each extending 2.4 km beneath the Sungei Pandan canal and key infrastructure such as the West Coast Highway and Ayer Rajah Expressway. These tunnels are projected to reach depths of up to 40 m, surpassing the typical 30-m depth for other stations, said LTA. The ground conditions in this area predominantly consist of weathered soil and hard sedimentary rock.

LTA added that real-time monitoring and safety measures will be implemented during the tunnelling works. Together with the contractors, LTA will also implement necessary mitigation measures to ensure ground stability and safe construction and minimise impact on nearby stakeholders and infrastructure.

Construction works on the tunnels are expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2024, with passenger service for CRL2 targeted to commence in 2032.

Nishimatsu Construction is currently constructing the bored tunnels between Tampines North station and Defu station (working names) for CRL Phase 1. The contractor has previously completed tunnelling works at Keppel station for the Circle Line 6 as well as Gardens by the Bay station for the Thomson-East Coast Line.

Okumura Corporation is also experienced in tunnelling works locally and abroad, having worked on projects such as the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System in Singapore as well as the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway and Taipei MRT Airport Line.

Image: LTA