交通部长许文远表示，目前还无法确定跨岛地铁线的总成本，下一阶段的研究需要另外四、五年。他也引述一部儿童电影Zootopia，希望大家不要在还没看评估报告之前，就有偏见。
针对义顺集选区议员黄国光对跨岛地铁线穿越和绕过中央集水区的总成本发出的提问，许文远表示，还没有做完评估报告，因此无法确定总成本。他说，目前需要国家发展部批准，以进行土壤调查报告。加上向公众进行咨询活动，这将可能需要另外四、五年的时间。
许文远也表示，他在周末时带3岁的孙女去看儿童电影《Zootopia》，电影里提到动物界的环境以及正义、平等问题。他说，有些人在环境评估报告还未出炉前就在网上留下非常恶毒的留言，显示他们明显对这项计划有偏见。许文远吁请公众以开放的心态来对待跨岛地铁线的课题。
针对穿越中央集水区只能省下6分钟的行程时间，许文远表示，地铁只要延迟1分钟，公众就会发出几百个针对陆路交通管理局和SMRT的推特，而地铁服务延误5分钟就可归类为延误事件，因此不能小看这6分钟。


WHAT IS THE CROSS ISLAND LINE? Spanning Singapore, the Cross Island Line (CRL) will be about 50km in length and is targeted to complete around 2030.　

WHERE IS THE CROSS ISLAND LINE?


Starting from Changi, the CRL will pass through Loyang, Pasir Ris, Hougang and Ang Mo Kio before reaching Sin Ming. Continuing westwards, it will serve areas including Bukit Timah, Clementi, and the West Coast before terminating at the Jurong Industrial Estate.
The Government is currently studying two underground alignments in the vicinity of Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR):


i)　Direct alignment
-　2km tunnel below the CCNR
- Approximately 40m deep
-　No physical structure on the surface level



ii)　Skirting alignment

-　9km under homes and businesses
-　Supporting ventilation facilities on the surface level




No decision has been made　on which of the two alignments to pursue. This is the first time such an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is carried out for rail development because the Government is concerned about preserving nature and protecting the CCNR. Our extensive consultations with the nature groups have been very helpful, and we have taken on board many of their suggestions. Much care has also been taken to locate the works in areas that are less sensitive to biodiversity as much as possible. None of the surface vegetation will be affected as there is no need to clear any trees or branches.

If the alignment underneath the CCNR is chosen, construction of the MRT tunnel will be underground tunnelling from outside the nature reserve, and there will be no structures on the surface level of the CCNR. For the alignment which skirts outside the CCNR, underground MRT tunnels will go under homes, businesses and buildings.
The Government will consider the views from all stakeholders before deciding on the final CRL alignment. Apart from environmental impact, the decision on the final CRL alignment will also take into account the need to maximise benefits to commuters and minimising impact to residents and businesses, the need for land acquisition, and costs to taxpayers.


Source: The Sunday Times Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction.







Press Release: LTA Gazettes Environmental Impact Assessment (Phase 1) for Cross Island Line
Click below to read the Final Site Investigation Environmental Impact Assessment reports:

Final EIA Executive　SummaryFinal EIA Volume IFinal EIA Volume IIFinal EIA Volume IIIFinal EIA Volume IV

HOW WILL COMMUTERS BENEFIT FROM THE CROSS ISLAND LINE? The CRL will give commuters an alternative 　to the existing East-West Line for east-west travel, in greater comfort and in significantly shorter journey times. The eastern leg of the CRL will also include a segment that extends into the centre of Punggol. Residents in Punggol will be able to travel directly to Pasir Ris—a popular travel route—in only 10-15 minutes, compared to a 40-minute bus journey today.

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