Work had to go on safely without disrupting day-to-day services and operations. Building an underground platform while train operations were still ‘live’ at the existing Expo MRT station.Some of the DTL tunnels were built just metres away from live rail lines: 1m above the North East Line tunnels, 3m below the Circle Line tunnels and 8m below the North-South Line tunnels. Tunnelling in close proximity to MRT lines in operation required hundreds of instruments to monitor the live tunnels 24/7.At 43m deep, this tunnel is the deepest one in Singapore. Digging to a depth of 14-storeys to link Bencoolen and Fort Canning MRT stations. This challenging feat meant balancing safety, structural stability and many other issues.This award-winning project has been recognised as one of the top 50 engineering achievements with the greatest impact on Singapore since 1965 This entailed complex processes to reroute the river and pack the section above the planned route of the tunnels with soil, to safely excavate the tunnels.

It was done to safely connect the DTL 3’s Fort Canning and Chinatown MRT stations. Diverting the Singapore River temporarily was one of the more challenging feats.The engineering team also recorded many ‘firsts’ including moving a major river and building the country’s deepest MRT station. The construction of DTL required overcoming varied and mixed ground conditions, crossing under the Singapore River and excavating through densely built-up corridors of Singapore. This makes it the longest underground and driverless MRT line in Singapore. With the introduction of DT元, the DTL is now 42-km long.

The opening of the 21km DT元 on 21 October 2017 provided a travel alternative to the east and direct connectivity to Tampines Regional Centre and Changi Business Park without the need for transfers via buses. The line also enhances connectivity within the Central Business District (CBD) area, taking you from Millenia Walk to Marina Bay Sands and the City Hall fringe more quickly. Taking the train instead of a bus from Kaki Bukit to Tampines takes just 10 instead of 25 minutes. The Downtown Line (DTL) is Singapore’s fifth MRT line and a game changer for public transport in Singapore.ĭTL reaches out to residential areas such as Bukit Panjang, Bukit Timah, MacPherson and Bedok Reservoir that were previously not served by the MRT.Ĭatering to a growing city with growing transport needs, the existing 34 stations on the DTL offer an alternative commuting route, connecting people to the city and making travel within the city centre a breeze.įor those living in Bukit Panjang and Bukit Timah, the line offers a more direct route into the city and cuts travel time by up to 30 per cent.įor those in the east, it means fewer bus rides and faster commutes.

Singapore mrt map