Extension 6.4 km from East-West metro at Tanah Merah to Changi airport for Singapore Land Transport Authority starting mid-1998 for 2001 completion and 2002 opening. One intermediate station to serve exhibition centre. Two 6.15 m Lovat EPBs for delivery early 1999. Nov 1998.   Kumagai Gumi and Sembawang Engineering awarded $127 million contract to build Changi station with tunnels connecting terminals 2 and 3, and traffic underpass by 2001. February 1999.   Progress with MRT contract 503 where Nishimatsu Construction is constructing a 3.5 km section using its Lovat RMP 242SE 18400/18500 EPB TBM. The machine is setting a 7 + 1, 250 mm-thick, 1 m-deep precast concrete segmental lining. It has total installed power of 1,775 kW of which 1,125 kW is to the 6.164 m-diameter cutting head. Propulsion is through 22 cylinders with 1.8 m stroke and maximum thrust of 4,400 t at 340 bar. The screw conveyor is 13 m long and 930 mm diameter. On board is a workshop area and 8-person mess hall. Features of this TBM include a two-stage, two-man airlock; a 3,000 lit/min ground conditioning system; TACS automatic tunnel guidance system; core/probe drill; and fire detection and dust suppression. More details at www.lovat.com November 1999.   Lovat reports westbound TBM has reached the reception shaft after completing its first drive. Visit www.lovat.com July 2000.  Lovat reports that machine 242/18500 completed its drive and broke through to Changi Airport station on 8th September. It will be disassembled conventionally from the shaft, where LTA/NCC/Kumagai held a breakthrough ceremony. Visit www.lovat.com Sept 2000.