Caught in the construction zone: residents and shopowners speak up about disruptions from Singapore's Cross Island Line project

The rumble of pile-driving equipment echoes through Pasir Ris every morning at 7 am sharp. For residents in the HDB blocks flanking Pasir Ris Street 21, the Cross Island Line project—Singapore's most ambitious transport infrastructure undertaking in a decade—has become an inescapable reality.

The 63-kilometre line, stretching from Changi in the east to Tuas in the west, promises to revolutionise connectivity and reduce journey times by up to 45 minutes for commuters crossing the island. When the Land Transport Authority announced the project in 2024, planners hailed it as crucial infrastructure for Singapore's vision of a car-lite future. Yet for those living within 200 metres of the construction corridor, the experience has been decidedly less romantic.

"The noise is constant—it vibrates through the walls," says one resident from a Pasir Ris household, speaking anonymously due to concerns about contractor relations. "My elderly mother has trouble sleeping. We were told it would be manageable, but no one prepared us for this."

At the Pasir Ris Central hawker centre, stallholders report a 15-20 per cent drop in foot traffic since construction ramped up in February. Parking along Pasir Ris Street has been reduced by half, forcing customers to seek alternative dining spots. The LTA has committed $2 million in support grants for affected businesses, though several operators say the assistance barely offsets their losses.

"We understand Singapore needs this infrastructure," explains a fruit juice vendor who has operated there for 12 years. "But the timeline—they say five to six years of disruptions. That's almost my entire remaining working years."

Community leaders in Pasir Ris and neighbouring Hougang have established a residents' feedback channel with the project team, documenting concerns around dust pollution, traffic congestion, and vibration impacts on buildings. Monthly engagement sessions have been scheduled through grassroots organisations and the town council.

The LTA has implemented noise-dampening barriers at 18 locations and adjusted working hours to avoid peak residential periods. Still, feedback from ground level suggests residents feel consultation could have been more thorough earlier in the planning phase.

Yet support for the project persists. Many acknowledge that solving Singapore's transport challenges requires difficult trade-offs. "Yes, it's inconvenient now," one commuter notes. "But in 2032, I'll save an hour daily getting from Changi to Tuas. That matters for our whole island."

As construction continues, the conversation reflects a broader tension in Singapore's urban development: balancing progress with the immediate wellbeing of those bearing its costs.

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