THE Downtown Line Stage 2 is now expected to be completed by the middle of 2016, after the Land Transport Authority (LTA) appointed a new contractor for a three-station stretch where work had stalled.

In a statement on Thursday, the authority said it has appointed McConnell Dowell South East Asia and SK E&C (Singapore) to complete construction works for three stations after the earlier contractor Alpine Bau went bust.

McConnell Dowell will complete the construction of Sixth Avenue and King Albert Park stations and associated tunnels for a contract sum of approximately $254 million, while SK E&C (Singapore) will complete the construction of Tan Kah Kee station and its associated tunnels for $222 million.

The LTA said it selected the two contractors as both had the relevant technical expertise and resources to swiftly commence completion works for the three stations. It added that it will work closely with the contractors to expedite works so the entire stage can be completed by the middle of 2016. The Downtown Line Stage 2 was originally scheduled for completion by the end of 2015.

LTA deputy chief executive Chua Chong Kheng said the immediate priority is to start work as soon as possible, adding that there is about 50 per cent of works on tunnel and station construction to be completed.

He also stressed that even as works are expedited, safety will not be compromised.