More new MRT lines to be built by 2030

The Government has announced a slew of new rail transit projects which will be completed by 2030. By then, Singapore's metro network will increase to 360km, from 178km today. The latest new rail projects were announced by Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew during a visit to the Downtown Line 1's Chinatown station Thursday morning confirmed speculation .

The biggest project will be for a 50km MRT line running from Changi to Jurong that will be up by 2030. Called the Cross Island Line, it will pass towns such as Loyang, Pasir Ris, Hougang, Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Timah, West Coast and Clementi along the way. And it will have interchanges with all the current radial lines. Part of the line will have an offshoot that links Punggol to Pasir Ris.

Next is the 20km Jurong Region Line, which is targeted for completion by 2025. It is a H-shaped network linking Choa Chu Kang, Tengah, Jurong East, West Coast, Boon Lay and Jurong West to the North-South and East-West lines. It could be a medium-load system that might have a stop at the Nanyang Technological University.

Also in the works, a 4km line that will make the Circle Line a complete circle, allowing easier access for commuters living or working on the western and eastern loops of the current line when it is completed around 2025.

The Government will also extend the North-East Line by one station north of Punggol. The 2km extension, when done by 2025, will serve the so-called "new Punggol Downtown".