The stage is being set to build the three new stations that will complete the Circle Line.

Tenders for civil work contracts to join HarbourFront station and Marina Bay station are expected to be awarded by the year end, with work set to begin in the first quarter of next year.

But even before this, preparatory works for the 4km extension, which is expected to be completed in 2025, are under way.

These works include relocating affected facilities at PSA Keppel Terminal for the construction of Keppel station, and dismantling the platform canopy structures of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station for the upcoming Cantonment station.

Shenton Way Bus Terminal will also be relocated to make way for Prince Edward station.

The extension project is expected to cost $3.7 billion, with the Government stating in its latest Budget book that the advanced works would cost $30.6 million. This translates to $925 million per km.

The extension will not just serve new commuters - for instance, Keppel station will provide easy access to Keppel Distripark - but also allow those travelling between the south-western and south-eastern ends of the line, such as from Pasir Panjang to Nicoll Highway, to have more direct and quicker access.

Meanwhile, the Land Transport Authority is ramping up testing of the North-South Line's new signalling system. From April 16, the tests will be conducted all day on Sundays, instead of an hour on weekdays. Passengers will not be affected.

The results of this trial will help determine when the new system, which allows trains to run at shorter intervals, will be fully rolled out. About a third of delays of more than five minutes last year on the 30-year-old North-South and East-West lines were signal-related.

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