SINGAPORE - The sixth stage of the Circle Line (CCL6) will be completed in 2025, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) today (Oct 28).
Three more stations will be built to "close the loop", linking up Habourfront and Marina Bay stations. They are: Keppel, Cantonment and Prince Edward.
With the extension, the Circle Line will span 33 stations over 40km of tracks.
The Straits Times reported that it will cost $3.7 billion to build the 4-km line and stations.
When ready, the new stations will provide commuters a more direct rote between areas in the west like Pasir Panjang and Kent Ridge and the Central Business District. Currently, commuters have to make multiple transfers between Telok Blangah and Marina Bay stations, even though they are on the same line.
For instance, a commuter travelling from Telok Blangah to Marina Bay has to make two MRT transfers (Circle Line, North East Line and North-South Line). With CCL6, he will reach his destination in a single train ride, cutting his travelling time by about a third, or about 10 minutes, said LTA.
Keppel station will be located along Keppel Road.
Cantonment station will be integrated with the old Tanjong Pagar Railway Station building.
The heritage building, which has been gazetted as a national monument, will not be affected, LTA said, but parts of the railway station's train platforms will have to be removed to facilitate construction of the new Cantonment station, which will be underground.
Meanwhile Prince Edward station will be located near Palmer Road, and heritage landmarks like Bestway Building and Hock Teck See Temple. These landmarks won't be affected by CCL6, the LTA said.
However, four part lots of private land - comprising open areas, grass verges, container stacking lots and driveways - will have to be acquired by the Government to make way for CCL6. As these lots will only be partially affected, landowners will be able to remain in their current premises.
The affected landowners will receive acquisition notices today. LTA said in the statement that the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) will work closely with them and assist them throughout the acquisition process.