J107 / Gek Poh & Tawas - A 2024 progress report

Making headway through our 2024 progress report, we've come to the sixth contract and the final one under the first phase - contract J107. In case you missed them, here are the first five parts of the 2024 progress report thus far:

• Contract J101 for Tengah Depot
• Contract J102 for Choa Chu Kang, Choa Chu Kang West & Tengah stations
• Contract J103 for Hong Kah & Corporation stations
• Contract J105 for Jurong West & Bahar Junction stations
• Contract J106 for Boon Lay station

Contract J107 for the Jurong Region Line (JRL) was won by Chip Eng Seng - Sembawang Design Corporation (CES_SDC) and involves the construction of two stations at Gek Poh and Tawas. Both of the stations will utilise side platform layouts. Significant milestones attained through 2024 have included the completion of casting for all viaduct piers along the contract, the commencement of roof frame installation works at Tawas station and the long span crossing over the Pan Island Expressway reaching the mid-point. We take a closer look at the various accomplishments made in greater detail after the jump.

J107 - Gek Poh & Tawas update Q2 2024

A view of contract J107 stations at Gek Poh and Tawas in end-Q2.

Advances in the progress of Gek Poh and Tawas stations were seen over Q2 of the year. At Gek Poh station, the concourse was largely completed while over at Tawas, the platform level beams were coming along well. Viaduct progress along contract J107 was also making headway, with viaduct spans stretching longer and longer through the quarter. Join us as we dive into the progress update for the contract over the second quarter of 2024.

J107 - Gek Poh & Tawas update Q1 2024

 

21 March 2024 - A view of Gek Poh station as at end-Q1 2024.

21 March 2024 - A view of Tawas station as at end-Q1 2024.

Contract J107 is for the construction of Gek Poh and Tawas stations and is the last of the contracts for phase 1 of the Jurong Region Line (JRL). Progress over the first quarter has been swift with works at both stations advancing visibly. Preparatory works were also taking place to commence viaduct span launching across the Pan Island Expressway, just south of the Tawas station. More after the jump.

J107 - Gek Poh update Q3 2023

 

28 September 2023 - A view of Gek Poh station seen from street level at end-Q3 2023.

Quarter 3 of the year has seen some milestones being achieved for the Gek Poh station and surrounding viaducts. These include the completion of casting of all the station pier's concourse level crosshead stubs, the installation of one prefabricated crosshead arm, completion of several viaduct spans and the commencement of construction of another portal pier's beam. Head on after the jump to find out more!

J107 - Gek Poh update Q2 2023

 

29 June 2023 - A view of construction along Jurong West Street 75 looking northwards, towards
Jurong West Street 82 & Tawas station.

Our next update brings us to contract J107 - specifically to Gek Poh. Things here are, like most other contracts for the Jurong Region Line (JRL), moving pretty quickly. Over the course of the last quarter, viaduct segment launching has commenced as has construction of part of the station concourse slab structure. Portal piers to the south are beginning to take shape as well and there's much to report from this neighbourhood. Full report after the jump.

J107 - Gek Poh update Q1 2023

 

12 March 2023 - Progress at the Gek Poh station site

For this update on contract J107's Gek Poh station, we're remaining fully within the quarter 1 of 2023. We'll present a further update of the progress within quarter 2 at a later date and this will allow you to see significant progress at the site.

The Six Stages to building an elevated MRT line - Preparatory Works (1)

 

We launched our new mini-series last week, a deep dive into the process of building an elevated MRT line which was last seen on the East-West Line when the Tuas West Extension was built. Join us as we explore the first of six distinct stages of bringing an elevated MRT line to life - the preparatory works stage.

The Six Stages to building an elevated MRT line - Introduction

 

It has been a while since the last elevated line was constructed in Singapore, with the Tuas West Extension on the East-West Line being the most recent addition back in 2016 following the completion of construction along the line, and there after its opening in 2017. The city is now receiving its first new elevated line since things went underground with the third line in the network, the North East Line (NEL). What does it take to build an elevated system? Much of our recent rail construction has taken place underground, hence works may not be as visible as that of an elevated line. Join us as we deep dive into the stages of construction of an elevated line in a six-part series that gives you a better understanding of how the line is constructed.

J107 - Gek Poh year-end update

 

16 December 2022 - An aerial view of the viaduct piers looking north.

Gek Poh may be a small sleepy suburb within Jurong West, but the progress of construction at the station site here is hardly anything to snooze at. Piers for both the viaduct and station have sprung up and are continuing to make progress ahead of viaduct construction work that is likely to commence next year.

J107 - Pier casting commenced

 

17 November 2022 - The first pier for contract J107 has been partially
cast.

17 November 2022 - The first, partially cast pier & others under
construction along Jurong West Street 81.

GEK POH VILLE - A sleepy suburb in Jurong West, the quiet neighbourhood has recently seen a fair amount of upheaval with construction works for the Jurong Region Line (JRL) taking place along the median of one of the major, arterial roads serving the area. The future Gek Poh JRL station will sit just outside the Gek Poh Shopping Centre.

J107 - Gek Poh gearing up

 

9 October 2022 - A view north along Jurong West Streets 75 & 82.

22 May 2022 - A view towards the north along Jurong West Street 75.

Works at Gek Poh station have been progressing steadily since our last visit here almost half a year ago. Foundation pits can be seen dug for the installation of bored piles that will serve to support the station piers located in the road median. Further up north, the former Pioneer Primary School site can be seen cleared to allow a clear path towards Tawas station.

JRL1 - Station renders

A view of Hong Kah station
Source: LTA & Eng Lee-Wai Fong JV

Recently we came across some new renders of the stations along the Jurong Region Line (JRL). We thought it would be fitting to do a re-post of all the renders we've amassed thus far. Do stay tuned as we'll let you know where we got the new renders from after the phase 3 batch.

JRL1 Construction update - Q3 2021

8 September 2021 - A view of the Choa Chu Kang interchange site as seen from an MRT train.

It has been a few months since our last update and unfortunately, there has not been too much progress on the line's construction. Majority of the works are still focused on the preliminary stages of utility diversion and site preparation. At some sites, there has not been much visible progress while others show a bit more visible work. In this update we'll do our best to give an overall summary of the progress.

J107 - LTA updates

Artist's impression of Gek Poh station
Source: Foo Mee Har

In the time since our last update, we've been grateful to have been supplied with information by Ms. Audrey Teo who lives near to the upcoming Gek Poh station. In a circular to residents, the Land Transport Authority explains the upcoming works under contract J107.

J107 - It's coming!

14 November 2020 - A view of Jurong West Street 75 and Gek Poh Shopping Centre.

For years my relatives have lived in Gek Poh Ville, right opposite Gek Poh Shopping Centre & Community Club. When I used to stay with them, a ride on bus route 243 was necessary to get to the MRT station at Boon Lay, the then western terminus of the East West Line. Back then the only buildings around Jurong West Central 1 were the Jurong Point shopping centre (albeit much smaller), the MRT station and the bus interchange. Jurong West Street 64 did not even run under the MRT viaducts at that time. From this, you can tell just how long my relatives have been residing in Gek Poh - long enough for my cousins to have progressed from being primary school students to working adults.

Thus it was with much excitement that one of them messaged me some photos of circulars from the contract J107 main contractor that had been put up at the lift lobby of their block - "It's coming!" she texted excitedly. Contract J107 is for the construction of Gek Poh and Tawas stations with associated viaducts for the Jurong Region Line (JRL).

Contract awards - J151, J106, J107 & J110

Render of the contract J151 trains by Hyundai Rotem.
Source: LTA

February has been a milestone month in the progress of the Jurong Region Line (JRL) with the award of 4 major contracts for the line. These include contracts for supply of trains for the line as well as the construction of 2 stations and 2 interchanges.

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.

Official route & stations

Jurong Region Line initial system map.
Source: Land Transport Authority

This morning the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced the official stations and route for the Jurong Region Line (JRL). As reflected in our new logo, the route is to be coloured teal. As previously mentioned in our final prediction post, two stations will be deferred and the remainder of stations will be built and opened over 3 separate phases.

Overlay of officially released Jurong Region Line initial system map against geographic map.
Credits: y2koh

Roads JRL may align with - Jurong West & NTU branch

Indicative map of Jurong Region Line (JRL)
Source: LTA

Previously we looked at how the Jurong Region Line (JRL) may weave its way through to Jurong East & West Coast. Today we look at how it would weave itself to its other 2 terminals - NTU and Jurong Industrial Estate.