Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded the final civil contract for the Downtown Line 2 Extension (DTL2e), covering the design and construction of twin bored tunnels linking the existing Bukit Panjang station to the future DE1 station.
The contract—valued at approximately S$199 million (£~117 million)—has been awarded to China Railway Tunnel Group Co. Ltd. (Singapore Branch) following a competitive tender process. The contractor is an established player in the region’s underground sector and is currently delivering works on the Circle Line 6 Prince Edward Station.
Scope of Works
The contract centres on the delivery of two parallel bored tunnels, each approximately 1.8km in length, to be constructed beneath:
- Woodlands Road
- Existing infrastructure, including the Kranji Expressway (KJE) flyover
The alignment presents several technical challenges, notably:
- Restricted working space in the vicinity of Bukit Panjang station
- Close proximity to operational rail infrastructure
- The need to maintain uninterrupted service on the existing Downtown Line
Construction Strategy and Engineering Challenges
Given the sensitivity of the works, LTA and its contractor will adopt a highly controlled construction approach, including:
- Carefully staged tunnelling operations near live railway assets
- Execution of critical activities during non-operating hours to minimise disruption
- Close coordination with SBS Transit and relevant agencies
To mitigate risk, the project will incorporate:
- Real-time ground and structural monitoring systems
- Comprehensive safety protocols to safeguard adjacent infrastructure
- Ongoing stakeholder engagement, including regular updates to residents and businesses
Programme
- Construction start: Q3 2026
- Target completion / operations: 2035
Wider Project: Downtown Line 2 Extension
The DTL2e scheme will extend the Downtown Line further into Singapore’s north-west, delivering:
- Two new underground stations (DE1 and DE2)
- A new interchange at DE2 connecting to the North-South Line (NSL) via the future NS6 station
The extension is designed to:
- Improve connectivity across the north-west corridor
- Reduce travel times for commuters
- Support emerging developments, including the Sungei Kadut Eco-District
Industry Perspective
This award marks the final major tunnelling package on the DTL2e and reinforces the continued demand for complex urban bored tunnelling in constrained environments. The project will require precise TBM operations, settlement control, and interface management with existing infrastructure. For further information about this project please click here for the tunnelbuilder archive and visit https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2026/3/news-releases/lta-awards-final-civil-contract-for-the-downtown-line-2-extensio.html 11/26.
