AN update on major investment projects now being implemented on the Hong Kong metro network has been provided by Mr Carl Devlin, capital works director at MTR.
Construction started on the Tung Chung Line Extension and the Tuen Mun South Extension in mid-2023. These will add 2.5km and 2.4km to the respective lines. Work is also underway to build the new stations at Kwu Tung on the East Rail Line, at Oyster Bay, and at Hung Shui Kiu on the Tuen Ma Line.
Major civil works will start progressively this year. MTR says that project management measures are in place in that should enable it to be well prepared for the peak in construction work over the next few years. Planning and design work for other projects is ongoing.
On the East Section of the Tung Chung Line Extension, major civil works in 2024 include realigning track and installing new turnouts for the new Tung Chung East station between Sunny Bay and Tung Chung.
Construction of the new tunnel running westwards from Tung Chung to the new Tung Chung West station is being undertaken on the West Section using a tunnel boring machine (TBM) in order to minimise impact on local residents.
Major civil works on the Tuen Mun South Extension comprise piling and foundation works along the Tuen Mun River for the new viaduct and A16 station. Work is due to start in the dry season to ensure that piling works do not interfere with the normal flow of the river.
On the project to build the new station at Kwu Tung on the East Rail Line, major excavation work will be undertaken layer by layer above the operating tunnels of the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, in order to maintain the stability of tunnel structures and normal train operations.
Major advance works on the project to build Oyster Bay station involve modifying the track layout at Siu Ho Wan depot while it remains in service. New cable bridges will be built over the railway to divert cables for piling work.
In preparation for major works on the new Hung Shui Kiu station on the Tuen Ma Line, the parapet walls on both sides of the existing viaduct will be cut into 140 segments and removed one by one as normal operations continue.
Devlin noted that undertaking the majority of these projects on an operating railway increases complexity. The Capital Projects team has to make optimum use of the two-hour window when passenger services are not running, and maintain close coordination with the operating side of MTR in order to ensure that routine infrastructure maintenance is not affected.
New technology and techniques are also being introduced to maximise the efficiency of major project delivery. These include adjusting and allocating works procedures in a flexible manner to maximise working hours, commencing preparatory work in a timely manner, and formulating appropriate works plans by incorporating innovative technology tailored to specific project features.
“2024 marks a significant year for railway network extension with major civil works commencing progressively for various projects,” Devlin says.
“Pushing forward the new railway projects as scheduled and maintaining safe and reliable train operations at the same time is the primary objective of the Capital Works team.”
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