Written Reply by Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung to Parliamentary Question on Prioritising Early Completion of Jurong Region MRT Line

Ms Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for Transport whether resources can be redeployed to expedite the construction of the Jurong Region MRT Line for earlier completion in the light of the cancellation of the High Speed Rail to Malaysia.

Reply by Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung:

1.     COVID-19 has unfortunately affected the progress of the construction of the JRL, because of manpower crunch, disruption to supplies and the need for strict safe management measures at work sites. The estimated delay is about a year, which means that JRL will now open in phases from 2027 to 2029.

2.     It is however not practical to rush the project, especially given that JRL is a complex project that will interface with three existing MRT stations and is built in close proximity with existing buildings and within road corridors. I would like to assure the Member that LTA and its contractors are already doing their best to expedite the JRL project, but in a way that does not compromise safety.