Pre-construction - Choa Chu Kang

Choa Chu Kang station is set to be the northern terminus of the Jurong Region Line (JRL), providing interchange access to the North South Line (NSL) and Bukit Panjang LRT. In preparation for the upcoming line, some changes have already taken place as of the time of writing, with others to follow once construction on the line gains momentum.

05 March 2017 - A view of the Choa Chu Kang bus interchange prior to moving to the temporary interchange behind Lot 1.

One of the noticeable changes in the area is the moving of the bus interchange to a temporary facility. The original interchange, built in the 1990's, was located to the west of the NSL station. As this is to become the location for the new JRL station, the bus interchange moved to a temporary facility on the east side of the NSL station, right behind the Lot 1 shopping mall in December 2018.

05 March 2017 - The bus park area of the original Choa Chu Kang bus interchange prior to moving to the temporary facility.

The existing site of the original interchange now stands empty and deserted, with operations having shifted on 16 December 2018. It is likely to remain this way for several months more till work on contract J102, which includes the construction of Choa Chu Kang JRL station, commences some time next year. The contract is currently up for tender by pre-qualified companies and is due to close on 22 February, barring any further extensions.

20 February 2019 - A view of the vacated 1990's bus interchange.
Credit: Wei Kiang

05 March 2017 - An aerial view of the future JRL right of way.

Further changes that can be expected include the demolition of block 303 along Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4. Currently standing as a multi-storey car park with retail shops at the first floor, the site will be acquired to facilitate construction of the new line. A replacement facility has been promised by the Land Transport Authority, although at this juncture it is uncertain if the facility will include space for the retail shops that will be affected by the block's demolition.

16 April 2018 - An aerial view of block 303 prior to demolition.

16 April 2018 - Street level view of block 303.

16 April 2018 - A street level view of the future JRL right of way, parallel to the existing Bukit Panjang LRT & North South MRT lines.

16 April 2018 - A view of Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4 in front of block 303.

When the JRL was announced in May 2018, Today spoke to some of the stallholders and residents affected by the acquisition of block 303. Undoubtedly, there will be some impact to those who work at these stalls or frequent them for daily necessities.

20 February 2019 - A typical morning scene at the NTUC Foodfare food court.
Credit: Wei Kiang

20 February 2019 - A view along the block 303 street frontage.
Credit: Wei Kiang

20 February 2019 - Eateries and Singapore Pools doing brisk business on a Wednesday morning.
Credit: Wei Kiang

We captured a few moments of daily life at block 303 on a busy mid-week morning. Throngs of people queued to purchase a chance at winning the lottery run by Singapore Pools, whilst others were busying buying breakfast. Yet others walked by briskly on their way to the MRT station or bus stop located nearby, nary a thought cast towards the impending change that is to come. Life still continues on as normal at block 303, but its days are numbered.