Written Reply by Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung to Parliamentary Question on Progress of Development on Thomson-East Coast Line Given Delays due to COVID-19

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Transport

a.     what is the progress of the Thomson-East Coast line given the delays related to COVID-19; and

b.     whether this spillover will lead to delays for other major planned MRT projects. 

Reply by Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung:

1.     The Circuit Breaker and phased re-opening since April this year have caused delays to the completion of the Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 2 (TEL2). Notwithstanding, we will be able to make up for some lost time, so TEL2 will open by 1Q 2021, a three-month delay from the original schedule of opening by this year.

2.     However, unlike the TEL2 which is near completion and prioritised for resumption of work, we will only be able to better assess the length of delays on subsequent phases of TEL and other MRT projects when construction activities have more fully resumed.

3.     The Government remains committed to significantly expand the MRT network, from around 230km today to 360km by the early 2030s. This includes opening the remaining stages of the Thomson-East Coast Line, completing the circle with Circle Line Stage 6, as well as building the North East Line Extension, Jurong Region Line and Cross Island Line.