MRT Circle Line Phase 4 and 5 Announced!

last SG · 2003-12-15T19:00:35+00:00

OK, perhaps Sv. 147 could be cut, since Sv. 196 is a no-no.

SBS9818A SG

As in all the other planned lines. I'm getting sick of rail as it is already. Yes, once all the lines are complete you'll see a massive change in bus services, perhaps leaving only a few essential ones that don't follow the MRT line at all.

^tamago^ SG

Bukit Timah Line

My guess (working names only):

Nicoll Highway or Millenia: Interchange with CCL.
Bugis: Interchange with EWL, located beneath Rochor Rd between Victoria St and Queen St.
Little India: Interchange with NEL, located beneath junction of Bt Timah Rd and Mayne Rd.
Kandang Kerbau: Located beneath Bt Timah Rd jus next to current overhead bridge; may not be constructed due to disturbance to KK Hospital.
Newton: Interchange with NSL, located beneath slip road leading Newton Circus to Bt Timah Rd.
Barker: Located on vacant land bounded by Bt Timah Canal, Balmoral River and Dunearn Rd, just opposite ACS (Barker).
Whitley: Located beneath slip road leading Bt Timah Rd to Whitley Rd junction, next to Stevens Court. Space constraint could be a big problem. Or they could acquire land from old Java Tower or Lewis Court to build Whitley station on the west of junction of Whitley Rd and Slip Road.
Adam: Interchange with CCL. Built on land of Botanic Gardens.
Coronation: Just westwards of overhead bridge in front of Coronation Plaza, beneath Bt Timah Rd. Land occupied by current row of shophouses between Coronation Plaza and Caltex petrol station likely to be acquired.
Linden: Built just beneath Bt Timah Canal eastwards of current overhead bridge in front of National Junior College.
Sixth Avenue: Built just eastwards of junction of Dunearn Rd and Sixth Ave, beneath Dunearn Rd.
Blackmore: Built beneath Dunearn Rd jus outside The Blossomvale.
Bukit Timah: Built beneath Upp Bt Timah Rd between Jln Jurong Kechil and Chun Tin Rd.
Hindhede: Built just northwards of overhead bridge outside Courts Singapore.
Hume (future): Built beneath Upp Bt Timah Rd near former Ford Factory.
Hillview: Built beneath Hillview Ave just southwards of the Hillview Circus.
Cashew: Built beneath Upp Bt Timah Rd just southwards of junction with Gombak Dr.
Bt Panjang: Interchange with BPLRT. Built beneath Upp Bt Timah Rd between Bt Panjang Rd and Petir Rd.
Stagmont (future): Built beneath junction of Woodlands Rd and slip road leading KJE to Woodlands Rd.
Gali Batu: Built beneath Woodlands Rd just northwards of junction with Stagmont Ring.
Mandai: Built beneath Woodlands Rd just between Sungei Kadut Ave and Mandai Estate.
Kerepek: Built beneath junction of Woodlands Rd and Jln Bumbong.
Kranji: Interchange with NSL. Built beneath Woodlands Rd alongside current Kranji MRT Station.

Depot could likely be located between Gali Batu and Stagmont station or between Hindhede and Hume station. A secondary depot could possibly located near Sixth Ave station to cater to initial stages of construction from city towards north.

SBS9818A SG

Whitley station could be outside SCGS / Raffles Town Club, right? You want your line to terminate at Kranji? Why not Woodlands as there would be more people there. Hindhede at the row of petrol station, isn't it? Mandai and Kerepek might not have demand just yet. Stagmont and Gali Batu too.

tranquilice SG

Click here http://www.lta.gov.sg/images/CCL%20alignment.jpg

tranquilice SG

LTA does not mention in its website that the BKL will start at Kranji, nor is Woodlands Rd mentioned. The line is most likely to start from Bukit Panjang.

http://www.lta.gov.sg/projects/proj_rail_future.htm

tranquilice SG

I would like to know your proposal for the Eastern Region line.

^tamago^ SG

well, i was thinking it will link Queen St to Kranji, which will be linked to the future Singapore-Malaysia railway line, if it comes true.. and after all there's not so much space constraint and affected traffic if an interchange station is built at Kranji..

regarding ERL haven't thought about it.. heh..

^tamago^ SG

actually Whitley station could have big problems cos of space constraint.. jus in front of SCGS actually there's a Kallang River Diversion (a branch of Kallang River - underground until it comes out at Jalan Toa Payoh/Jln Datoh) and it's not a small river.. u can see it from Dunearn Rd looking towards SCGS.. that explains the constraint of building it under the slip road in front of SCGS.. i was thinking Java Tower is old anyway and can be acquired, though The Equatorial (a recent development) residents might complain that construction is going on too near their homes..

Kranji was chosen on land space and the fact that a current MRT tunnel actually runs through Woodlands Rd which represent engineering difficulties and duplication also. Furthermore, it is likely Kranji will be chosen as a future interchange station for connection to Malaysia over Woodlands, thus it terminates at Kranji in my guess..

regarding whether to designate stations north of Bt Panjang as "future" stations, it's a tough choice as BTL will not be built in the near future and we don't know what developments might appear near the stations..

SBS9818A SG

For Whitley it could be under Whitley Rd, going under SCGS and Raffles Town Club in the process. Exits would be at both sides of Bt. Timah Rd, and yes, residents of The Equatorial might complain. Construction should have been done when The Equatorial was under redevelopment.

^tamago^ SG

MRT stations can't go below current buildings, especially those on private land.. dealing with the foundations of current buildings are a big problem, and u r not safe if the site needs to be redeveloped and everything dug up again.. thus for developmental control MRT stations are usualy built right under a road or if it is a vacant land it is developed together (The Atrium @ Orchard) or station box isolated (Clarke Quay).. stations are different from tunnels all together, which can go deep below a current building's foundations.. thus it is quite hard to build it under Raffles Town Club.. LTA tries not to acquire land from private land owners unless it is a must.. as for SCGS, it is safe to do so as it is state land but again we have to consider if the construction is bad for the school.. the front driveway and the field is likely to go, together with probably the primary school section..

as for The Equatorial, not exactly that case since Bukit Timah Line won't come to you in the near enough future.. so we can't ask them not to proceed with their construction and wait for LTA to build together the whole area.. however, Whitley is a bad place to put a MRT station though not impossible (see Chinatown MRT)..

and yes, exits will be at two sides of Bt Timah Rd through underpasses, but stations under waterbodies are a bad idea as it is usually reduces its useful life span.. even Clarke Quay had to be built on the river bank but not under the Singapore River itself else it could last 20-30 years shorter than other stations on NEL..

it is also likely that the current vehicular bridges across Whitley Rd will be reconstructed together with Whitley station, in the process decreasing the width of Bt Timah Canal temporarily.. so the whole area's traffic system is redeveloped..

iamgoondu SG

I do agree that MRT station are usually built right under a road, however the orientation of Holland station for CCL puzzle me. The station was designed / orientated diagonally across a busy Holland Ave/Holland Road junction. It was neither aligned along Holland Road nor Holland Ave.

If station alignment depicts tunnel/track alignment, the track seems very likely to go under those Holland V shophouses!!!

How would you think the MRT track would go from Farrer to Holland to Buona Vista? Along Farrer Road, Holland Road, North Buona Vista Road? or Along Farrer Road, Holland Road and cut through Holland Drive estate?

Despite much vacant land in nearby Holland V, LTA chose to have it at Holland Ave/Holland Road junction, I interpreted its intention to serve as many commuters. Otherwise the station can always be built along Holland Ave or Holland Road.

As for Buona Vista station, why wouldn't it be built next to the vacant land near current BV station? Rather LTA had chosen to build at the road divider.

SBS9818A SG

Let’s just wait and see what happens, if your predictions come true.

^tamago^ SG

How would you think the MRT track would go from Farrer to Holland to Buona Vista? Along Farrer Road, Holland Road, North Buona Vista Road? or Along Farrer Road, Holland Road and cut through Holland Drive estate?

it is expected that the tunnels will go through Holland Drive Estate direct from Holland station to Buona Vista station.. if u use a ruler and see on a SLA street directory, the tunnels can travel straight out of Holland Village station to reach the junction of North Buona Vista Rd and Commonwealth Ave before turning a little to align with Buona Vista station's orientation.. MRT tunnels can travel straight through the area is because, one, the whole area is state land and the govt have control of what can be built there, two, they know exactly how the foundations of the HDB buildings are and so are able to dig correctly if correct engineering principles are applied, and three, the first blocks of HDB apartments it meets actually resides on a hill which gives the tunnel a safe distance to descend downwards towards Buona Vista station..

as for Farrer to Holland section, it is expected to cut through from Holland station in the exact orientation until Leedon Rd and align itself somewhat along Leedon Rd before turning under Farrer Court apartments to reach Farrer station.. Farrer station's location is chosen at the lowpoint of its surroundings so its tunnels are as deep as possible to cut through Farrer Court and the private estates in the stretch of land between Holland Rd and Leedon Rd.

As for Buona Vista station, why wouldn't it be built next to the vacant land near current BV station? Rather LTA had chosen to build at the road divider.

Building stations on road dividers is, as i said, developmental control in that underground stations will not be subjected to factors that may disrupt its operations and to save land space.. it is not rare at all in Singapore.. the following stations are built deep and right under the road divider: Bugis, Lavender, Newton, Braddell, HarbourFront, Outram Park, Chinatown, Little India, Farrer Park, Boon Keng, Potong Pasir, Woodleigh, Serangoon, Kovan, Buangkok, Museum, Convention Centre, Millenia, Nicoll Highway, Old Airport Rd, Tanjong Katong, Paya Lebar CCL, MacPherson, Upp Paya Lebar, Bartley, Lor Chuan, Marymount.. the land around Buona Vista is too precious to the govt as it will be used for One North hub.. similar to Paya Lebar, where LTA had to divert traffic and mess up the whole place jus so that they could dig the station box right under Paya Lebar Rd so the land north of Paya Lebar can be redeveloped instead of putting a station there.. and stations that are not under the road divider do not have any built-up areas above them, like Tanjong Pagar (green space), Raffles Place (green space), Dhoby Ghaut (green space), Somerset (Stamford Canal), Orchard (green space).. only Tiong Bahru and Novena (shallowest depth of 11m) have redevelopments coming up right above the station box after the station was built and commissioned..

^tamago^ SG

no ideas yet, but probable first stage should link a EWL station (most probably Paya Lebar) to Marine Terrace via Parkway Parade.. it may even go to East Coast Park, with a stop probable near Marine Cove (current ECP McDonald's)..!

iamgoondu SG

Judging from my travelling patterns (of past years), I doubt CCL would benefit me much.

I stay near HV, and I travel mostly to Jurong (workplace), Clementi, Orchard, ChinaTown, Suntec (during weekend for leisure activities). At times I will go to Toa Payoh to meet up my friends.

At all instances I will travel by buses, except if I were to meet up my friends at City Hall or Tiong Bahru, then I would travel by MRT.

I prefer buses, as to walk to BV station could be up to 10 minutes, and to walk to busstops could be 2 (along Holland Ave), 6 (along Holland Road and along Commonwealth Ave).

Having Holland Station at junction of Holland Ave/Holland Road, it would probably take me 5 minutes.

Judging from my current travelling patterns, there is little motivation for me to use the CCL. I will still take TIBS 106 to Orchard, Suntec, Clementi. I will still prefer to take SBST165 and make transfer to SBST157 at Macritchie to Toa Payoh. And I believe I will still prefer to take SBST165 to Ang Mo Kio or Hougang. I do not go to harbourfront often, even if needed I would still prefer TIBS61.

The only time that I could be travelling on CCL would probably when I am visiting my sister at SengKang, or I am meeting my friends at MRT stations or visiting my friends residing near MRT stations (5 minutes walking time at most).

The proximity to a MRT station is a deciding factor if it would encourage a commuter to travel by bus or by train. Having spoilt by the conveiniences from a good bus network at Holland V, I am afraid I will still stick to my usual bus routines.

And I believe I will still walk (10min) to current BV station, though in future I can walk(5min) to Holland station, and make a transfer at BV. However if Holland station was located along Holland Ave (outside blk 12), I shall take train at Holland Station and make a transfer at BV station.

For the past 2 years, I had make less than 5 trips each to Bishan and Serangoon, and why would I travel to Dhobby Ghaut via CCL, and why would I travel to Tampines via CCL (transfer at Paya Lebar)? Hence I see little benefits CCL had brought to me.

Anyway it's always good to have a MRT station at your doorstep. I would definitely prefer to have it along Holland Ave (outside blk 12). It serves residents and it won't affect the businesses at Holland V. Of course I understand LTA intention, to provide easier transfer for buses for those travelling along Holland ROad.

off_service SG

You forgot the "favourite" quote of all bus fans: "Network Rationalisation to reduce and wastage of resources".

SBS9818A SG

Isn't that TransitLink's and SBST's favourite tagline?

off_service SG

The "favourite" here means opposite.

iamgoondu SG

I think it is just too soon for me to wipe off the benefits to be derived from CCL.

This afternoon, I had waited for a full 35 minutes for TIBS 106, and still no TIBS106 in sight. Out of frustration and cos rushing for time, I had to take taxi.

From the taxi driver, i was told that there was a heavy traffic jam at Orchard (perhaps Orchard Boulevard), for I am waiting for TIBS106 outside Blk 8.

I should have walked for another 4 minutes to Commonwealth Ave to take SBST 147, 105 to Singapore Polytechnic. If not for the heavvy downpour, on most cases I would rather walk to Commonwealth Ave to take buses.

Having CCL or rather having trains, at least I can make better estimation on my travelling time.

Perhaps the next time, I will travel to Singapore Polytechnic from Holland to Dover via BV.

Do LTA or SBST or TIBS study travelling pattern? They do perhaps, else SBST won't comment that few would walk more than 350m to a MRT station.

Honestly I will walk at most 15 minutes to a MRT station, provided the train provide better alternatives, example if I am travelling from BV to Pasir Ris, Tampineses, Bedok, Boon Lay or Jurong East.

foxtrot1985 SG

Yes they do, using the info from the EZ-Link card readers, although they may not be very accurate especially on bus routes serving many students since majority of students (like me) do not scan my card when alighting.

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