Government Approves Building Of The Downtown
Line
1. The Government has given approval for LTA to build the Downtown
Line (DTL) at a cost of S$12 billion. The 40km line will be mostly
underground and will be built in 3 stages. The DTL is targeted to
be completed by 2018.
2. With the DTL, the connectivity of the existing Rapid Transit
System (RTS) network will be strengthened. The DTL will facilitate
direct travel from the northwestern and eastern areas of the island
to the Central Business District (CBD) and the Marina Bay. It also
provides a strategic transport link to support the development of
the Marina Bay area.
3. The Government's target is to raise the public transport share
of all morning peak-hour trips from the current 63% to at least 70%
by 2020. To achieve this target, the RTS network as the backbone
for our public transport system will have to be expanded, with more
rail lines extended to new areas, thereby enhancing accessibility
and reducing travel times.
DTL Stage
1
4. DTL Stage 1 comprises the Downtown Extension (DTE) which was
previously planned as an extension to the Circle Line (CCL). This
4.3 km section will run from Bugis Station on the East-West Line
(EWL) to Chinatown Station on the Northeast Line (NEL). It will
have 6 stations in all: Bugis, Promenade, Bayfront, Landmark, Cross
Street and Chinatown.
5. Targeted to be completed in 2013, it will be operated
independently from the CCL, serving upcoming developments in the
Marina Bay area, such as the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort and
the new Marina Bay Financial Centre.
DTL Stage
2
6. DTL Stage 2 comprises the previously announced Bukit Timah Line
(BTL). It will run from Bugis Station on the EWL, along the Bukit
Timah Road corridor to link up with the Bukit Panjang LRT. This
16.6 km long stretch of the DTL is targeted to be completed in
2015.
7. With DTL Stage 2, commuters can enjoy a more direct link to the
city centre. For example, a trip from Bukit Panjang to the city
centre that now takes 60 minutes will be shortened by one-third.
Residents who currently take the train from Bukit Batok and Choa
Chu Kang into the city, can also shave up to 15 minutes from their
hour-long journey.
DTL Stage
3
8. DTL Stage 3 comprises the northern half of the previously
announced Eastern Region Line (ERL). This 19.1 km phase will run
from Chinatown Station on the NEL to Expo Station on the EWL.
9. This final phase of the DTL is targeted to be completed in 2018.
With DTL Stage 3, commuters who currently take about 40 to 50
minutes travelling into the city by train from Bedok Reservoir and
Tampines will save up to 10 minutes.
10. The LTA is currently undertaking studies to determine the exact
alignment and station locations of DTL Stages 2 and 3.
Extending the Circle Line
to Marina Bay
11. To enhance the accessibility of the Marina Bay area to the rest
of the island, the CCL will be extended to Bayfront Station from
Promenade Station. This will be completed in 2012.
Interchange
Stations
12. DTL will have an interchange station with the Bukit Panjang LRT
system as well as 10 other interchange stations with the existing
rail network and the CCL which is under construction:
North South
Line
Newton
East West
Line
Bugis
Tampines
Expo
North East
Line
Little India
Chinatown
Circle
Line
Bayfront
Promenade
MacPherson
Botanic Gardens
13. In the coming months, contracts will be awarded for the various
stages of the DTL project. The first two civil contracts, for the
Cross Street and Chinatown stations will be awarded in the second
half of 2007.
