Contract awards - J101 & J105

Concept design options for Tengah Depot.
Source: LinkedIn

Over the last few weeks, several contracts for civil construction packages have been awarded by the Land Transport Authority to China Railway 11 Bureau Group who previously completed stations on the East West Line's Tuas West Extension in 2016. These consist of back-to-back awarded contracts J101 for the construction of Tengah depot and J105 for the construction of Jurong West & Bahar Junction stations.

Contract awards - J102 & J103

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced the awards of contracts J102 and J103 for the Jurong Region Line (JRL) on 10th September 2019. Contract J102 comprises of 3 stations - Choa Chu Kang interchange, Choa Chu Kang West & Tengah interchange. On the other hand, contract J103 comprises of 2 stations - Hong Kah & Corporation.

Contract boundaries for J102 & J103.
Source: LTA

JRL3 - Tender process begins & J106 update

On 30 August 2019, the Land Transport Authority kicked off the tendering process for the third and final phase of the Jurong Region Line. Contract J113 for the design and construction of Nanyang Gateway and Nanyang Crescent stations with associated viaducts was released for tender. With a tentative closing date of 20 December 2019, interested parties that have been pre-qualified will have approximately 4 months to submit bids for the project. The deadline for submissions, however, is likely to be extended based on experience with other similar contracts. Contract J113 is due for completion by 30 December 2027, in time for the JRL's phase 3 operations in the following year, 2028.

JRL2 - All contracts released for bid

The Land Transport Authority released the last tender for phase 2 of the Jurong Region Line (JRL) on 31st July 2019 - contract J109 for the design & construction of Toh Guan, Jurong Town Hall and Pandan Reservoir stations, viaducts inclusive. With the release of tender bidding for contract J109, all contracts for phase 2 of the line have been floated for tender.

J105 - Tender closed

Contract J105 entails the construction of Jurong West and Bahar Junction stations along with associated viaducts on the Jurong Region Line (JRL). The contract was first floated for tender in February and closed last week on 25 July 2019. A total of 4 companies responded by placing bids for the contract.

List of companies bidding for contract J105.
Source: LTA

JRL Contracts - Awards & Tender progress

As of mid-April, all contracts for the first phase of the Jurong Region Line (JRL) were floated for tender. Since then, approximately three of the first few civil contracts have closed and are awaiting award while the remaining three contracts are still in the midst of the tendering stage.

Also recently closed was contract J151 for the procurement of train sets for the line. This brings the line a step closer to actualization. We have compiled a list of the contracts floated for tender and their respective statuses from the start of the studies for the line.

Compilation of all JRL contracts floated for tender to date and status of the contracts.

The next step would be for the award of the civil contracts ahead of the line's ground breaking, which can be expected some time next year.

Pre-construction - Jurong East

Jurong East station is a transport hub which currently serves as an interchange station between the North South Line (NSL) and East West Line (EWL). A major bus interchange is located next to the MRT station, servicing approximately 20 bus routes. The original bus interchange was located on the northwestern side of the plot, but was moved to a temporary facility west of the station in 2011.

17 October 2017
Source: Google Earth

Pre-construction - Peng Kang Hill

Peng Kang Hill is the final station along the Jurong Region Line's western route and will be co-located with a stabling facility for the line. The station will be located next to the Experimental Medicine Building in Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

04 March 2019

Pre-construction - Nanyang Crescent

Nanyang Crescent station is located at what can be considered to be the heart of Nanyang Technological University (NTU). The second of 3 stations within NTU has the North Spine located to its south and the National Institute of Education to its north. Both the public bus services that ply NTU stop at this location along Nanyang Drive, making this the defacto transport hub for the university.

04 March 2019 - A view westwards along Nanyang Drive.

Pre-construction - Nanyang Gateway

Nanyang Gateway serves as the first of 3 stations located within Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Currently disconnected from any rail service, the line will run through the heart of NTU providing easier access for the university students to transfer to other radial lines for travel to other parts of the island.

04 March 2019 - Looking westwards along Nanyang Avenue to the approximate site of the future station.

04 March 2019 - A westwards view along Nanyang Avenue.

Pre-construction - Enterprise, Tukang, Jurong Hill & Jurong Pier

Several of the stations along the Jurong Region Line (JRL) serve the Jurong Industrial Estate. These stations - Enterprise, Tukang, Jurong Hill and Jurong Pier - will be built and commence operation under the third phase of the line in 2028.

Enterprise
Located near the Chin Bee Drive factories along Jalan Boon Lay, currently the area is a dual carriageway road. The station should be located along the road median with minimal impact to road lanes during construction.

04 March 2019 - Looking northwards along Jalan Boon Lay to the approximate station site.

Pre-construction - Pandan Reservoir

Pandan Reservoir station is located at the southern end of the Jurong Region Line's east route. It serves both Teban Gardens and Pandan Gardens estate on either side of the terminus.

21 April 2019 - An aerial panorama of the site for the future Pandan Reservoir station, to be located behind the school in the
foreground.

Pre-construction - Jurong Town Hall

Jurong Town Hall station will be located along Jurong Town Hall Road, within the Jurong Country Club grounds, across from the International Business Park. The area is currently vegetated and not much exists within the golf course compound at the moment.

21 April 2019

Pre-construction - Toh Guan

Toh Guan and Yuhua estates are located next to Jurong East Central and have long been seeing MRT trains passing by since the line to Choa Chu Kang began operating in 1990. Further works to expand capacity at the nearby Jurong East station and improve turn around times for trains on the North South Line (NSL) resulted in the viaducts creeping closer to the residential blocks near the line. However, there was no convenience gained for the residents as no station was constructed in the vicinity.

16 April 2018 - A view looking southwards, to Jurong East.

Pre-construction - Bukit Batok West

Bukit Batok West station is located at the south-western side of Bukit Batok Town, serving the southern portion of the estate. A more appropriate name for the station would be Bukit Batok South, leaving the option open for potential future lines to serve Bukit Batok West further up north.

16 April 2018 - The approximate site of the future Bukit Batok West station before construction begins.

Pre-construction - Tengah Park

Tengah Park station is located along Bukit Batok Road, in the perimeter green verge that surrounds Tengah Town. Strategically located opposite the Dulwich College, the station is poised to serve the immediate vicinity of Bukit Batok West and parts of the Tengah Plantation district as well.

At the moment, the area along Bukit Batok Road is largely undeveloped. However the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) draft master plan 2019 maps show the area near the station zoned for residential developments within Tengah Town. This plot is likely to be developed for Housing & Development Board (HDB) flats, for which the projects have yet to be announced.

18 February 2019 - A view of the approximate station site to the right, along Bukit Batok Road.

JRL1 - All contracts released for bid

The Land Transport Authority released the last tender for phase 1 of the Jurong Region Line (JRL) on 18th April 2019 - contract J107 for the design & construction of Gek Poh and Tawas stations, viaducts inclusive. With the release of tender bidding for contract J107, all contracts for phase 1 of the line have been floated for tender.

Bidders will have until 13th May 2019 to pre-qualify and 15th August 2019 to submit their bids for this contract, barring any extensions to the tender. The contract is expected to be delivered by 30th March 2026 - thus it can be expected that phase 1 of the JRL will commence operations roughly around the middle of 2026.

Below are the other contracts that have been floated for phase 1 and their respective statuses.

Pre-construction - Tawas

Lorong Tawas is currently a quiet lane surrounded by greenery just across the Pan Island Expressway from Jurong West town. Much of the surrounding area is a secondary forest. However, plans for the area involve developing the land into the Jurong Town Corporation's (JTC) Cleantech Park precinct under the Jurong Innovation District.

18 February 2019 - An aerial panorama of the area where Tawas station will be located.

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.

Pre-construction - Boon Lay

Boon Lay station used to be the original terminus of the East West Line (EWL) at the end of its western run. Located in an underdeveloped precinct of Jurong West estate, the only developments that used to be in close proximity to the station were the Jurong Point shopping centre and the Boon Lay bus interchange, both located to the north of the station. While the area has undergone massive development since the station's opening in 1990, the arrival of the Jurong Region Line (JRL) in 2026 will further boost the area's vibrancy.

14 January 2019 - An aerial view of the existing Boon Lay station on the East West Line (EWL) before construction begins.

Pre-construction - Bahar Junction

One of the most complex stations on the line, Bahar Junction will sit on the junction of Jurong West Avenue 2, Avenue 4 and Streets 64 and 75. One portion of the station will sit in an east-westerly direction while another portion will sit in a north-southerly direction.

18 February 2019 - Looking northwards from Jurong West Street 64 to Jurong West Street 75.

URA Draft Master Plan 2019 - Secrets of JRL unveiled

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has released the Draft Master Plan 2019 today. The station outlines of the Jurong Region Line (JRL) are readily available on the master plan maps and show the detailed alignment of the line. Several questions previously left unanswered by information furnished by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) have since been answered through the maps in the draft master plan - one such example being the set up of Bahar Junction station.

Do take a look at the maps of the stations and we'll unveil some of the secrets of JRL. For the purpose of this post, we will be referring to the JRL system by the West route and the East route.

A map of the Jurong Region Line system. West route is indicated by the full block colour and alphanumeric codes JS and JW. East route is indicated by the striped portion and alphanumeric code JE.
Source: LTA

Pre-construction - Jurong West

The second of three stations located along Jurong West Avenue 2 is Jurong West station. To be located near the St. Joseph's Home, the station will also serve the Boon Lay Gardens residential precinct.

A screen grab of Jurong West station seen in front of the Jurong Innovation district.
Source: LTA

18 February 2019 - Looking eastwards along Jurong West Avenue 2 from the junction
with Jalan Bahar & Jalan Boon Lay

Contract tendering update - J102, J103, J110 & J106

The contract tendering process for the Jurong Region Line (JRL) civil contracts began last October with the release of tender for contract J101 for the construction of the depot to be located in Tengah. Since then numerous other tenders have been floated, of which the tenders for 3 contracts have been closed - contracts J102, J103 and J110.

Contract J102 is for the construction of Choa Chu Kang, Choa Chu Kang West and Tengah stations on the JRL. It also includes addition & alteration (A&A) works to the existing Choa Chu Kang station on the North South Line. Tender for this contract closed on 22 February and a total of 10 contractors have made bids.

List of tender respondents for contract J102.
Source: LTA

Pre-construction - Corporation

The area where Corporation station is to be built is currently a semi-developed area. On one side sits the Jurong West estate and former campus of Jurong Junior College, while the other is currently a green field which will be developed in time to come. A render shared by MP for the area, Mr. Desmond Lee, shows buildings developed by the Jurong Town Council being connected to the future station.

A render of Corporation station.
Source: Desmond Lee

Pre-Construction - Tengah, Hong Kah & Tengah Plantation

Being built as a new township, Tengah estate will see several Jurong Region Line stations serving the different districts within the town. Tengah station is to be located at the town centre, Hong Kah station will serve the southern portion while Tengah Plantation station serves the plantation residential district. In future, another station may be added further north between Tengah and Choa Chu Kang West stations to serve the north eastern portion of the town. All of these stations lie within a currently heavily vegetated area and works are underway to clear the area for construction activities to commence on the new town.

Station locations within Tengah New Town.
Source: LTA

Pre-construction - Choa Chu Kang West

Choa Chu Kang West station under contract J102 is located along Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3, near the Sunshine Place neighbourhood shopping centre. Currently, Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3 is a two-lane double carriageway which will soon give way to a widened road median once construction works begin.

30 September 2018 - Satellite image of Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3 where the Choa Chu Kang West station will be located.
Source: Google Earth 

Contract J1018 - Advanced earthworks for Tengah Depot

Ahead of the award of contract J101 for the construction of Tengah depot, advanced works contract J1018 has been underway for the clearing of the land. Formerly a densely vegetated area, work has been going on steadily for about a year and progressively, the land is being leveled out in preparation for the commencement of civil works (building of the physical structures).

06 August 2001
Source: Google Earth

10 February 2018
Source: Google Earth

30 September 2018
Source: Google Earth

Contract tendering update - J101, J102, J103, J105, J110

Following the official announcement of the Jurong Region Line (JRL) in May 2018, the tendering process for the civil contracts began around November last year. To date several large civil works contracts have been floated for tender.

Contract list as of 18 February 2019.

These include the civil works contracts for the construction of Tengah depot (contract J101), Choa Chu Kang interchange, Choa Chu Kang West and Tengah stations (contract J102), Hong Kah and Corporation stations (contract J103), Jurong West and Bahar Junction stations (contract J105) and Jurong East interchange (contract J110). In total, there should be approximately 13 civil works contracts for the line. To date 5 of these contracts have been floated and 1 contact - J102 - has been closed.

Contract awards can be expected approximately 6 months after the closure of the tender while tender of the remaining contracts should be expected to be completed by the year-end. Once the contracts have been awarded, a ground breaking ceremony will be held - potentially some time after the first quarter of 2020. This is when construction along the line will begin to ramp up in intensity. In the meantime, advanced work contracts are underway to facilitate the relocation of utilities, with the bulk of these contracts due for completion by September 2020.

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.

Station renders

Usually when a new MRT line is announced, the Land Transport Authority releases information to the press along with a few renders of how the stations would look. These offer perspectives of how the stations would integrate into the environments and allow the public something to look forward to. However, this was not the case for the Jurong Region Line (JRL) during its announcement. Nonetheless, we have looked around and found several renders that showcase the stations' designs.

Render for contract J1001 by GreenhilLi. According to Channel Newsasia, this station happens to be Tengah Plantation.
Source: GreenhilLi