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 Monday – Friday 8:30pm – 6:00pm Saturday (Except public holidays) 8:30am – 1:00pm 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
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