SINGAPORE – The Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link's Woodlands North Station in Singapore is about 10 times the size of a typical Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station, according to the republic’s transport minister, Ong Ye Kung.
He said this is because the station will include a Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) building, where travellers can clear Singapore and Malaysia checks in just one stop.
Singapore yesterday broke ground for the Johor Baru–Singapore RTS Link at the Woodlands North site, two months after Malaysia had its ground-breaking ceremony at the Bukit Chagar Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) site on November 22.
Ong said the ceremony marks the start of infrastructure works to connect Singapore and Johor Baru via an LRT, which is closer to a medium-capacity MRT.
“This is a significant bilateral project between Singapore and Malaysia that will benefit both our peoples, and help ease congestion on the Causeway,” Ong said on Facebook late yesterday.
The RTS Link is a 4km rail-shuttle service between the Singapore terminus at Woodlands North station and the Malaysia terminus at Bukit Chagar station in Johor Baru.
It has a capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction.
Meanwhile, the republic’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the RTS Link Woodlands North Station will be constructed underground at a maximum depth of 28m.
It is set to have three storeys, with two basement levels and an underground linkway to the CIQ building, LTA said on its website.
It said the facilities will be adjacent to the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) Woodlands North MRT station and will be seamlessly connected via an underground concourse.
“The tunnels will be connected to the viaduct that crosses the Straits of Johor at a height of 25m,” it said.
LTA said that ground conditions are expected to be challenging as it is a site of granite condition.
Therefore, construction will involve the use of high-capacity drilling machines, extended piling works as well as rock demolition during excavation works, it said.
Aside from the technical complexities, LTA said the cross-border nature of the construction also means many stakeholders on both sides will be involved.
“Both sides have been in close discussions and coordination to ensure the smooth and timely implementation of the RTS Link project.” – Bernama, January 23, 2021
