Hong Kong Tunnel Breakthrough Celebrated
A key milestone on the SCL (Shatin to Central Link) Project has been achieved with the breakthrough of the 11-kilometre tunnel for the Tai Wai to Hung Hom Section, which will form the backbone of Hong Kong’s East-West rail corridor. The MTR Corporation held a ceremony to celebrate this major project achievement with local community members from various districts, representatives of government departments and contractors.
Mr Lincoln Leong, Chief Executive Officer of MTR Corporation, who joined the guests at the ceremony to celebrate this major milestone of the project, said:
“SCL is a strategic railway that will bring a new level of travelling convenience to the people of Hong Kong by better connecting existing railway lines and expanding the coverage of the railway network. The East-West Corridor will extend MTR service to the Kowloon City and Kai Tak areas. It will also allow people to travel directly between east and west of the New Territories without interchanging.”
“It has never been easy in realising these social benefits. We are lucky to have a group of dedicated community representatives, tolerant neighbours and professional builders. They have contributed to this achievement through their continuous cooperation and constructive support, which helped us in overcoming many challenges during the tunnelling works.”
Projects Director of MTR Corporation Dr Philco Wong appreciated the efforts of the contractors and staff and stated:
“The construction of this strategic railway through the Lion Rock and complicated ground conditions in Wong Tai Sin and Ma Tau Wai areas has not been an easy feat. With the support from the community, our projects team has risen on top of various challenges during the past 4 years. We very carefully snaked through the underground landscape within touching distance of existing railway tunnels, underground utilities and building foundations, thereby moving a significant step towards the completion of this very important railway project.”
The Tai Wai to Hung Hom Section of the SCL is an extension of the existing Ma On Shan Line from Tai Wai Station through East Kowloon to connect with the West Rail Line at Hung Hom Station. It includes construction of a tunnel, new stations and extension of existing stations in Sha Tin, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon City and Yau Tsim Mong districts, to form the East-West Corridor.
Please see MTR Corporation for original article.