Construction works on Cross Island Line Pasir Ris station to begin in Q4. The two main stations on Cross Island Line are Pasir Ras and Pasir Ris. Both these stations can be reached by car, train or bus. But when the construction work is going on at Pasir Ris, you have to take a ferry from Matamata.
In November last this station was re-opened after three years of refurbishment. During the refurbishment of this station, an additional platform was built adjacent to the existing platform. Now platforms have been added to both stations for passenger and freight operations. These platforms are open to cars and freight, while the ferryboat runs on the channel.
This year the station has carried out works like an extension of ticket offices, change of signals and ticket machines, widening of pedestrian crossing, addition of new pedestrian tunnels and others. The pedestrian tunnel is 12 feet wide and the tunnel is expected to be completed next year. Another major works happening at this station is that the conversion of bus lane from bus way to bike lane is being done. The pedestrian tunnel will connect the southern end of the bus lane to the pedestrian tunnel. This lane is supposed to increase the traffic flow at Cross Island.
When you travel from the north side to the south side, you will notice the new bike lane and the pedestrian tunnel. The pedestrian tunnel is being built adjacent to the Cross Island car park. The entire construction period is estimated to cost around $1.5 million. A big project like this always brings some negative results along the way. But this particular project will not affect the daily travel in Cross Island. The construction work in Pasir Ras will only affect the people who are living at the Kitang-Luninggani settlement.
When the construction work is done, a huge change will come into the environment. The traffic that used to go to the ferry will now travel through the pedestrian bridge. This means that all the people going to the ferry will have to walk. The work on the tunnels is also being affected. You cannot see the work on the tunnel yet but when it is done, you can expect the change in scenery.
There was a rumor that the Cross Island Line will get connected to the ferry service. But nothing is yet decided about this. There is another plan to connect the mainland and the island. This will be done using a high speed train. However, there is still no information about this.
There are also rumors that a fourth connection between the mainland and Cross Island is being considered. However, it is not yet clear whether this will be possible. One of the major problems faced by the residents at Pasir as is the noise. The ferry services has long been a source of irritation to many of the residents at the island.
The people at Pasir as having a lot of problems with the construction works at hand. But no one seems to know when these works will be completed. During the interim period, they are worried about the changes that will be brought about by the new bridge and other works. There is a need to address these issues once and for all.
There are many concerns expressed by the residents at the Cross Island. If this is not addressed immediately, then they fear that the quality of life of the people living here will suffer. The chief infrastructure is already in place, but the long term plan for the construction of bridges and other major projects is now underway.
The entire construction project is expected to take approximately ten years. During this time, a connection will be built to the existing railway line. The railway line will link the Dombar terminal with the other railway stations in the area. People can continue to use the train to Goa until such time when the bridge is completed.
Many of the people living at Pasir Ras are concerned about the impact that the construction will have on their lives. They do not want any disruptions in their daily lives. The disruption caused by the construction works will not be very large in scale. However, the people living here will have to face some difficult challenges during the period of the construction.