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Construction of Jurong Region Line with 24 new MRT stations begins

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Singapore Train

The Jurong Region Line will be the seventh line to be introduced into the MRT system. The line is designed to be a medium-capacity line.Opening in three phases from 2027, the line will be a fully elevated and automated rapid transit line. When it is fully completed in 2029, it will span 24km across 24 stations. Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has commenced construction on the Jurong Region Line after a ground-breaking and viaduct launching ceremony was held on January 13, 2023. 

About the Jurong Region Line (JRL)

There will be 24 MRT stations along the JRL - all above ground - including three interchange stations: Boon Lay, Choa Chu Kang and Jurong East. 

The JRL is expected to “significantly improve” connectivity in the western part of Singapore and support developments in the Jurong area, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in a media release.  

About 60,000 more households will be within a 10-minute walk of a train station, so the line will also improve public transport connectivity for residents in the West and North-West. 

For example, people commuting from Choa Chu Kang to NTU by public transport will see their travel time shaved by close to half, from 60 minutes to 35 minutes.

The JRL will connect residential areas, including Gek Poh and Pandan Gardens, to key areas in Jurong that currently do not have direct links to the MRT.

New Solar Panels at JRL

With sustainability being a key consideration in designing the new line, all JRL stations will be fitted with solar panels to generate renewable energy for station operations.

Driverless Cars at JRL

The JRL will have 62 fully automated driverless three-car trains, which will arrive from South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem Company by the middle of 2024. The line’s capacity can be expanded to four cars as demand increases.

Construction Works at JRL

Permanent sound barriers will be installed along viaducts near residential homes to minimise noise disturbance.

When construction involves busy roads, the work will be done only late at night to minimise inconveniences. 

The JRL is slated to begin passenger service in three stages from 2027 to 2029.

Simultaneously, SMRT Corporation, a leading multi-modal transport operator in Singapore, is digitalising MRT services to improve operations and maintenance.

SMRT launched Project Overwatch, an internal initiative to enhance the workings at Operations Control Centre (OCC) and improve rail service reliability. Through video analytics and artificial intelligence, the OCC can quickly respond to train traffic anomalies. Work is in progress to roll out Project Overwatch to the OCCs at North-South and East-West Lines and Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL).

Commenting on SMRT’s efforts, SMRT Chairman, Seah Moon Ming, said: “Our trains on our North-South, East-West Lines (NSEWL) and Circle Line (CCL) have continued to achieve more than one million Mean Kilometres Between Failure (MKBF). Our Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT) has exceeded its MKBF target of 100,000 train-km while undergoing network renewal.”

SMRT Chairman further added: “We are also working closely with LTA and system suppliers to prepare for a smooth opening of Stage 3 of the new Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). Our Buses team has likewise performed well, maintaining high service and reliability standards.

Conclusion

Spanning over 24 kilometres, the fully-elevated JRL is expected to “significantly improve connectivity” in the western part of Singapore and support developments in the Jurong area once it becomes fully operational in 2029.

About the Author

Chloe Tay

Chloe is associated with a non-profit organisation that works towards the society and environment.Her interest in sustainability and green mobility has helped her to become a writer and share her thoughts with people.

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