MTR Kwun Tong Line Extension
Whampoa
WHAMPOA
Newsletter
Ho Man
Tin
HO MAN
TIN
February 2015
Tunnel Works for Whampoa Station
Platform Commence
Striving to Overcome Challenges
As of the end of December 2014, over 72% of the
Kwun Tong Line Extension has been completed. With
the tremendous effort made by the project team in
implementing various delay recovery measures, the
most critical excavation works for the platform tunnel
at Whampoa Station commenced in December 2014.
These works are particularly challenging due to the
mixed ground conditions and numerous underground
utilities in the vicinity of Whampoa Station. The target for
commissioning the new railway extension is mid-2016.
Ensuring Safety of Platform Tunnel Excavation
Breakthrough Achieved for All Railway Tunnels
Following the excavation of the east and west concourses of Whampoa Station,
structural works for the station and the challenging platform tunnel excavation
works commenced in December 2014. Due to the mixed ground conditions
and groundwater in the Whampoa area, excavation works for the 100-metre
platform tunnel between the east and west concourses (i.e. the section of Tak
On Street between Hung Hom Road and Shung King Street) at Whampoa Station
are unexpectedly difficult. More time is required to adopt different excavation
methods and undertake necessary grouting and supporting works to ensure
safety before commencement of the excavation. Whilst the construction team
is planning detailed arrangements to mitigate delays, great care would be taken
by the project team to minimise any impacts on the adjacent residents. The
excavation of the platform tunnel is expected to be completed in the second
quarter of 2015.
The construction works for Ho Man Tin Station and the tunnel works are
progressing well. Following the last blast for the western part of Ho Man
Tin Station in December 2014, the blasting and excavation works for all
of the Kwun Tong Line Extension tunnels was completed. The railway
tunnels between Yau Ma Tei and Whampoa stations have also been
broken through. Structural works for Ho Man Tin Station have reached
the concourse level above the platform for the Shatin to Central Link and
are expected to be topped out in mid-2015. The pedestrian link facilities
connecting Ho Man Tin Station to Oi Man Estate and Sheung Lok Street,
and the covered footbridge across Chatham Road North connecting Ho
Man Tin Station to Wuhu Street are scheduled for completion in mid2015. The facilities will open for public use as scheduled upon receipt of
approval from relevant government departments.
GM’s Note
New Year 2015 has just begun!
On behalf of the project team,
may I wish you all a prosperous
year ahead.
We are thankful for the support from the local community and
residents of the Ho Man Tin and Whampoa areas since the
commencement of the project. We encountered numerous
challenges over the past year particularly the unforeseen difficulties
of the excavation works at Whampoa Station which has delayed
our progress. Nonetheless, the project team has been striving
to catch up the programme by carrying out excavation works
concurrently from the two ends towards the centre of the
concourse, and deploying more manpower and machinery.
We understand that the local community and residents are highly
concerned about the impact of our works on the environment.
The project team has been coordinating the works sequence and
site management to keep any impact on the community to the
minimum.
The project team will continue to make every effort in delivering an
efficient and convenient railway service to the community in mid2016.
James Chow
General Manager – Kwun Tong Line Extension
MTR Corporation
Proactive Response to Residents’ Concerns
In response to the concerns raised by
the local community, noise blankets
were used to cover heavy machinery at
worksites. Moreover, the project team
has been working closely on rectification
works to improve the surface conditions
of the carriageway and footpaths in
Whampoa Garden to minimise the impact
of construction works on the community.
YAU MA TEI
Project Progress
Whampoa Station
The excavation of the east and west concourses has been substantially
completed with structural works for the station having commenced.
Manpower and the number of machines have been increased to speed up
the works progress. All structural works are anticipated to be completed in
the second quarter of 2015.
To facilitate excavation for the west concourse of Whampoa Station,
the worksite between the traffic lanes at Hung Hom Road will be
slightly adjusted in February 2015. During the works period, the
northbound traffic lane of Hung Hom Road towards To Kwa Wan will
be straightened.
Excavation works for the overrun tunnel at Wan Hoi Street were
completed in early December 2014 while structural works for the
tunnel are in progress.
Railway Tunnel Works
As of the end of December 2014, 85% of the structural works for the railway
tunnels were completed. Structural works for the railway tunnel, including tunnel
walls, are being carried out at a section of the tunnel between Yau Ma Tei and Ho
Man Tin stations. Track-laying works have commenced from Yau Ma Tei Station
towards Ho Man Tin Station.
Following the last
blast for the west side
platform of Ho Man Tin
Station in December
2014, all blasting and
excavation works for
the tunnels of the Kwun
Tong Line E x tension
have been completed
and tunnel structural
works are underway.
WHAMPOA
HO MAN TIN
Ho Man Tin Section
65% of the structural works for Ho Man Tin Station has been
completed as of the end of December 2014. Structural works
have reached the concourse level above the platform for the
Shatin to Central Link with E&M installations and fitting out
works in progress. The station is expected to be topped out
in mid-2015.
Pedestrian Link Facilities
Over 70% of the pedestrian link system for Ho Man Tin
Station has been completed. Structural works for the
pedestrian link system connecting Ho Man Tin Station to
Oi Man Estate and Sheung Lok Street, and the covered
footbridge across Chatham Road North to connect Ho
Man Tin Station and Wu Hu Street have been substantially
completed and fitting out works are in progress.
The original footbridge across Chatham Road North was demolished in January
2015. To minimise any impact on the traffic, a section of the affected carriageway
was temporarily closed for several hours and traffic diversions were implemented to
facilitate the demolition, temporary support and lifting works for the footbridge in one
night. The carriageway was reopened in the morning as scheduled.
Community Engagement
Follow up on worksite condition at
Whampoa Station
In response to the concerns raised by residents and the local community regarding the works progress and
site management of Whampoa Station, representatives from the MTR Corporation and Highways Department
arranged a joint site inspection to Whampoa Station in December 2014, enabling the local community to have
a better understanding of the latest construction works. Follow-up actions have been taken by the project team
after the site visit.
Sharing the
Festive Joy with
the Community
To celebrate Christmas with the community, the MTR Kwun
Tong Line Extension project team and contractor Nishimatsu
Construction visited Po Leung Kuk Merry Court for the Senior
at Ho Man Tin Estate in December 2014. While introducing
the railway extension project to the elderly, the project staff
sang Christmas carols and gave out presents to the group,
filling the air with joy and happiness.
MTR Projects Hotline
2993 3333
Office Hours
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Saturday
(Except public holidays)
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Calls will be transferred to a voice mailbox when the lines are busy or after
office hours. Please leave your message and we will contact you as soon as
possible.
Kwun Tong Line Extension Website :
www.mtr-kwuntonglineextension.hk/en/home