Four new MRT stations are expected to be ready on the East-West line by 2016, extending the rail system’s operations into the Tuas industrial estate.
“When completed, it will improve accessibility and connectivity for people who work in the Jurong and Tuas industrial areas. The Tuas West Extension will help commuters to save more than half of their current travelling time when they commute to these areas,” said Transport Minister Raymond Lim.
Estimated to cost S$3.5 billion, the new rail project will include new stations, 13 new trains, a new depot and a viaduct running parallel to the train line. It will stretch up to 7.5 km and will cater to up to 100,000 passengers daily.
“There is going to be a lot of development in the Tuas West industrial area, so there is a need to increase the road capacity going towards the West. This viaduct is unique because we are stacking the rail viaduct on top of the road viaduct — so we are saving quite a lot of land,” said Paul Fok, Group Director for engineering at the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
The new line will run from Joo Koon station to the new 26 hectare depot, the fourth depot in Singapore. It will serve commuters heading to Tuas, Tuas West, Tuas Link and Tuas Crescent.