In January 2019, it was announced that the station would be an interchange with the Cross Island line (CRL) when the first stage opens in 2030.

[13] The station opened on 16 December 1989 as the eastern terminus of the EWL[14][15][16] as announced by then-deputy prime minister Goh Chok Tong on 4 November that year.

[16] The station opening was generally well received by residents in Tampines and Pasir Ris, who were hoping for quicker rides to their workplaces in the city via the MRT.

[24][25] On 29 June 2018, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that the EWL overrun viaducts would be extended by 150 metres (490 ft).

[29][30] On 17 January 2013, transport minister Lui Tuck Yew announced that the proposed Cross Island line (CRL) will serve the Pasir Ris area.

[35][36] However, the restrictions imposed on construction works due to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to delays and the dates was pushed by one year to 2030 and 2032 for CRL1 and CRLe respectively.

[37] The contract for the design and construction of Pasir Ris CRL Station and associated tunnels[38] was awarded to a joint venture between Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co Ltd and Dongah Geological Engineering Co Ltd Singapore Branch at S$980 million (US$718.37 million) on 26 April 2021.

The compromised panel was removed and a professional engineer confirmed the stability of the remaining structure.

They were part of a team of 15 personnel tasked to investigate a possible signaling system fault, after a high voltage alarm set off.

[45][46] After an internal investigation, SMRT sacked both the engineer who led the track team and the train driver and also disciplined the staff involved for their role in the incident.

[48][49] Upon investigation, it was revealed that safety protocols were not implemented that would have prevented the train from entering the worksite.

[50] The engineer who led the inspection team was charged with negligence causing death under the Penal Code[51] and was subsequently sentenced to 4 weeks in jail.

[57][58] The station is planned to serve a mixed-use commercial and residential development that will integrate with the bus interchange, a polyclinic and a town plaza.

These include a single-door bus route serving Pasir Ris and Tampines, the Worker's Brigade (Singapore's "army without guns" formed in 1959), the mosaic elephant playground, the Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple, Pasir Ris Hotel, and the Golden Palace Holiday Resort.