Nishimatsu Construction Co has completed a 2.56km drive for Singapore’s Cross Island Line Phase 1 (CRL1).
The 12.66m-diameter EPB TBM, manufactured by CREG, bored the double-track tunnel between Tampines North station and Defu station for Contract CR110.
The TBM is equipped with an accessible cutterhead for cutter changes at atmospheric pressure, reducing reliance on hyperbaric interventions for cutter replacement.
The machine also employed continuous tunnelling to improve construction efficiency.
Operating approximately 45m underground, TBM Harmonia advanced through silty sand and gravel-bearing soils beneath sensitive infrastructure, including the runway at Paya Lebar Air Base and viaducts.
Tunnelling crews achieved peak advances of 18m (nine rings) in a day and 300m (150 rings) in a month.
The Land Transport Authority awarded Nishimatsu Construction Co the S$446m (€305m) design and construction contract in November 2021. It includes construction of the tunnel and a facility building with underground basements to house the electrical and mechanical systems for CRL1.
At the time the contract was announced, the TBM was the largest ever to be deployed in Singapore.
CRL is Singapore’s eighth MRT line. It will serve existing and future developments in the eastern, north-eastern and western corridors, linking major hubs such as Jurong Lake District, Punggol Digital District and Changi region. Almost half of CRL stations will interchange with other lines.
At 29km-long, CRL1 will have 12 stations from Aviation Park to Bright Hill.
