Pre-construction - Gek Poh

Gek Poh is a quiet neighbourhood located in Jurong West, slightly north of Boon Lay MRT station and bus interchange. For years, residents have relied on a 10-minute bus ride to bridge the gap between the neighbourhood and the transport hub at Jurong Point. With the introduction of the Jurong Region Line (JRL), the neighbourhood will finally have a rapid transit station of their own serving the vicinity.

18 February 2019 - Looking northwards along Jurong West Street 75 towards the site of the
future Gek Poh station.

The future Gek Poh station will be a mere 2 stations north of the interchange with the East West Line at Boon Lay. While there will certainly be a reduction in time taken getting back from Boon Lay station, the same may not be necessarily true for getting there, due to the set up at Bahar Junction station, one stop down. As its name implies, the station is located at a three-way junction with no direct service from Gek Poh towards Boon Lay and onwards south to Jurong Pier. Passengers would need to cross the platform to catch another train for the one-stop hop to Boon Lay.

18 February 2019 - A view of Jurong West Street 75 from Gek Poh shopping centre.

Nonetheless, having a rapid transit station within the vicinity will provide extra convenience to the area. The site of the future station is currently a two-lane dual carriageway lined with small trees along the grass verge. It is likely that the station will sit in the road median, which may have to be widened to accommodate the elevated viaduct and station piers.

18 February 2019 - Looking southwards along Jurong West Street 75.

In an online search, we came across a render of a JRL station. Based on comparisons on the ground, we believe one of the stations shown to be Gek Poh station. In the render, the red outline of the Gek Poh Shopping Centre facade can be seen next to the station while the foreground shows the steps near the junction with Jurong West Avenue 5. A Housing & Development Board (HDB) flat sits behind the station which matches the design of block 749.

Render on the left shows Gek Poh station.
Source: LinkedIn

Based on the render, it appears that the JRL viaduct will be approximately 5 to 7 stories high with a sound barrier enclosing the tracks. A side platform configuration is used for this station, probably due to keep the trains as far from the surrounding HDB blocks as possible.

12 April 2019 - An aerial view of Jurong West St 75 to the south.

12 April 2019 - An aerial view of the Gek Poh station site, next to Gek Poh Shopping Centre.