Minister for Transport Mr S Iswaran hosted His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, Sultan and Sovereign Ruler of the State and Territories of Johor Darul Ta’zim at the Johor Bahru – Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link Woodlands North terminus site earlier this morning. His Majesty was accompanied by His Excellency Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Menteri Besar of Johor, and other state officials.
2 During the visit, His Majesty witnessed the rock removal process using a controlled blasting method. He was also briefed on the ongoing bore piling marine works which will set the foundation for the construction of the RTS Link viaduct. The viaduct crosses the Straits of Johor at a height of around 25 metres, and connects to underground tunnels leading to the RTS Link Woodlands North station on the Singapore side.
3 When completed, the RTS Link development, including the station constructed at a maximum depth of 28 metres, will have a gross floor area approximately 10 times that of a typical MRT station. The RTS Link Woodlands North station and CIQ building comprise three storeys aboveground, as well as two basement levels and an underground B3 linkway, which will connect commuters seamlessly to the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) Woodlands North MRT station.
4 Construction works at the Woodlands North terminus site, which started in March 2021, involves the use of high-capacity drilling machines, extended piling works and rock blasting technique to overcome challenges posed by the ground condition that is mostly made up of hard granite. LTA has also implemented measures such as real-time instrumentation monitoring and rigorous surveys to ensure the resulting vibration is within controlled limits, the structural safety of all surrounding infrastructure is protected and any inconvenience to the public is minimal.
About RTS Link
5 The RTS Link is a 4-kilometre rail shuttle service between the Singapore terminus at Woodlands North station and the Malaysia terminus at Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru, with a large capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction. Passengers will enjoy a fast and seamless experience travelling between Singapore and Johor Bahru on the RTS Link, and a train journey time of about five minutes between the two stations. Furthermore, the CIQ facilities of Singapore and Malaysia will be co-located at Woodlands North and Bukit Chagar stations, which means that passengers only need to clear the immigration authorities once, i.e. at their point of departure. When the RTS Link opens for service at the end of 2026, it will be a game changer that will significantly improve connectivity between Singapore and Johor Bahru and ease congestion along the Causeway.
