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The Eastern Region Line (ERL) is an upcoming Mass Rapid Transit line in Singapore and is currently under planning and evaluation. In its preliminary plans in the early 2000s, Eastern Region Line was to have been a 40-kilometre rectangular loop that would complement the existing East-West Line and enhance inter- and intra-town travelling in the eastern region. It would have looped around the Jalan Besar and East Coast areas, intersecting the Circle Line and other lines along the way, benefitting residents in Tampines, Bedok, Marine Parade, MacPherson and Kaki Bukit.[1] However, the northern part of the loop is now part of the Stage 3 of the Downtown Line.
In 2008, the government revived the line. Interchanging with the future Thomson Line, the Eastern Region Line will, from Marina Bay, serve the residential estates of Tanjong Rhu, Marine Parade, Siglap, Bedok South and Upper East Coast, and link them to Changi in the east.[2] The line will be 21-km long, have 12 stations, and will be ready by 2020.[3] This line follows closely to the southern stretch of the previously planned Eastern Region Line; instead of turning towards Expo, it goes eastwards and ends near Changi Ferry Terminal.
[edit] History
The Eastern Region Line was first officially announced on 25 January 2008. Completion of the 12-station line is expected in 2020.[1]
It will be one of four more rail systems to be built by 2020. The other three rail systems are the Circle MRT Line, the Downtown MRT Line, and the Thomson MRT Line. Together, the four will extend the rail network from the current 138km of track to 278km by 2020. When completed, it will improve movement in the city centre, with a train station within every 400m on average, roughly equating a five minute walk.[4]
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