Another two civil contracts have been awarded for the construction of the future North-South Corridor (NSC) which will connect towns in the north to the city centre.

Worth a combined $1.16 billion, the contracts were clinched by Samsung C&T Corporation, and a joint venture between Leighton Contractors (Asia) (Singapore Branch) and Yongnam Engineering & Construction, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced yesterday.

The 21.5km corridor, targeted to be completed in 2026, is a largely underground expressway with dedicated bus and cycling lanes. Samsung C&T Corporation was awarded the first contract for the corridor in November, to design and build a 1.25km stretch of tunnel between Novena Rise and Toa Payoh Rise. The second NSC contract it was awarded, worth $602.6 million, will see the Korean firm design and construct a 1.37km section of the NSC tunnel between Toa Payoh Rise and Marymount Lane with one exit ramp.

The $553.8 million contract awarded to the Leighton-Yongnam joint venture is for a 0.64km section of tunnel between Kampong Java Road and Suffolk Walk. This includes the provision of commuter facilities, such as pedestrian overhead bridges, bus stops, sheltered walkways and cycling paths, along with the widening of Rochor Canal. The joint venture will also build an entry and exit ramp each with the tunnel.

Works for the latest two contracts will start at the end of this year, said the LTA.