After an in-depth study, the Cross Island Line (CRL) will be going 70m under our Central Catchment Nature Reserve. There were initially two options - to skirt around the reserve or to go under it. The Ministry of Transport have determined that going under the reserve will result in a shorter travel time and construction costs are expected to be about $2 billion cheaper.
This has also made residents at Upper Thomson feel at ease. If the skirting option was chosen, the MRT line would have been running below their houses. The direct route under the Central Catchment Nature Reserve also caused worry to nature groups as this could set a precedent for future work in protected areas.
Do you think they chose the right option? Well, at least by choosing the direct route, they have successfully won the votes of those staying in Upper Thomson.
