SINGAPORE - Construction of the Canberra MRT station will start soon, with a Chinese firm clinching the job to build the new station on the North-South Line (NSL).

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Monday that the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (Singapore) was awarded the contract for $90 million.

Canberra station is located between Sembawang and Yishun stations along Canberra Link. When it opens in 2019, the station will serve commuters living in nearby estates such as Sembawang Springs, as well as upcoming public and private residential developments in the area, the LTA said.

Residents who are travelling to the city centre or Jurong East can save up to 10 minutes, with a direct connection to the MRT line.

Canberra station will also have five entrances linking it to the new housing estates across Canberra Link, making it one of the most accessible. NSL stations have an average of three entrances at every station.

Canberra station is the second MRT station in Singapore to be built on an existing rail line, with the first being Dover Station on the East-West Line, which opened in 2001.

The China State Construction Engineering Corporation (Singapore) is currently also building Downtown Line 3's Kaki Bukit and Geylang Bahru stations. It won the contracts in 2011 for $93.8 million and $123 million respectively.