Project Profile: Jurong Region Line (JRL), Singapore

The Jurong Region Line (JRL) is a 24-kilometre, fully-automated, and elevated Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line under construction in western Singapore. As the nation’s seventh MRT line, the JRL is engineered to enhance the resilience of the rail network and support the strategic development of the Jurong Innovation District and Tengah New Town.

Technical Specifications

The JRL’s design addresses the unique challenges of navigating a dense, developed urban landscape. The entire 24 km alignment is elevated on viaducts, minimizing the land acquisition footprint. The line will utilize a fleet of smaller, three-car driverless trains, with the capacity to be expanded to four cars as ridership grows. This rolling stock configuration allows for greater operational flexibility and the ability to navigate sharper curves than conventional MRT trains, a critical design feature for threading the line through existing infrastructure. The line is projected to serve an initial daily ridership of 200,000, eventually increasing to over 500,000. It will connect with the existing North-South and East-West Lines at key interchanges, significantly improving network connectivity and travel times for residents and workers in the region.

Key Takeaways

• Economic Catalyst for Western Singapore: The JRL is a critical infrastructure investment designed to unlock the economic potential of the Jurong Innovation District, Jurong Industrial Estate, and the new Tengah residential development.
• Enhanced Network Resilience: By providing alternative travel routes and connecting to existing main lines at three separate interchanges, the JRL increases the overall resilience and redundancy of Singapore’s MRT network.
• Innovative Urban Engineering: The project employs smaller, more agile rolling stock and a fully elevated design to overcome significant spatial constraints, setting a precedent for future rail development in constrained urban environments.

FAQ

When will the Jurong Region Line open?

The Jurong Region Line is scheduled to open progressively in three distinct phases. Phase 1 is targeted for opening in 2027, Phase 2 is planned for 2028, and the final Phase 3 is expected to be operational in 2029.

Who is building the Jurong Region Line?

The Jurong Region Line is a project managed and owned by Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA). The LTA has awarded key civil and engineering contracts to a consortium of local and international firms, including Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co and China Railway 11 Bureau Group for station and viaduct construction, with engineering consultancy provided by firms such as WSP Global and SYSTRA.