Transport authorities are finalising the sequencing of signals at about 67 intersections along the route of the line between Circular Quay, and Randwick and Kingsford in the south east.

The time that trams spend waiting at intersections for red lights to change will be one of the major causes of delays to trips for passengers.

But Transport for NSW secretary Rodd Staples said trams would have a “high priority relative to everything else” at intersections along the route of the line.

“These [trams] carry 450 people, equivalent of nine buses, so you move more people through the intersection per second than you do with the old bus system,” he said.

Ms Berejiklian apologised to residents and businesses for the disruption caused by the project, which had been more severe for some than others, but said the “light is definitely at the end of the tunnel”.

The ALTRAC consortium responsible for the project has said the line will not be completed and opened to passengers until March 2020, which is a year later than originally promised.

“Obviously the date we've been given is March 2020 but we are hoping we can bring that forward to late next year,” Ms Berejiklian said.

The remaining 900 metres of track that has to be laid is expected to be completed in the next few weeks. Construction barriers on George Street in the CBD between Circular Quay and Liverpool Street are due to be removed by November.

Barriers in front of shops along the rest of the route on George Street are due to be taken away by January, but residents and retailers at Randwick, Kingsford and Kensington are likely to have to wait until February before those in their suburbs are removed.