Good news, Westies.

Although the fate of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High Speed Rail (HSR) lies uncertain without any official response from the new Malaysian government, the Singapore government's plans for the revitalisation of Jurong Lake District (JLD) will still proceed.

This was confirmed by Minister for National Development, Lawrence Wong in Parliament on July 9, 2018. He was responding to a question by Member of Parliament for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC Alex Yam on whether the proposed cancellation of the HSR will affect development of the sites around the area.

While some aspects of the planned JLD might be affected as "circumstances change", the government has an "exciting transformation plan for the whole area, and..will proceed with the implementation of these plans when ready," said Wong. 

Although the plans for the HSR were first unveiled in 2013, plans for the JLD started in 2008. The decision to locate the HSR terminus in Jurong was only made n 2015. Therefore, the transformation plans for Jurong Lake District are still as relevant.

In fact, Wong reassured the parliament that “the overall impetus and vision for Jurong Lake District have not changed”, regardless of the outcome of the HSR project.

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New CBD and MRT lines

The JLD is envisioned to be a car-lite commercial and recreational district.

There, the Jurong Gateway precinct is designed to be the next commercial Central Business District, connected to Tuas Port, Changi Airport, the central district, and (with the HSR) Kuala Lumpur.

Aside from the current East-West Line and North-South Line - both of which meet at the Jurong East Interchange - Jurong Gateway will also be where commuters can access the future Cross Island Line and Jurong Region Line.

In his reply, Wong added that the Raffles Country Club land, which will be acquired by the government, will be where the Cross Island Line depot will be situated. Jurong Country Club, which has already been acquired, will be used for mixed used and community facilities.

Additionally, more than 20,000 homes and 100,000 new jobs will be created when the new district is up.

Top image via URA.