Hung Hom station safe to use

The final report on the bar-cutting scandal at Hung Hom Station concluded that the station is safe - but the MTR Corp and its contractor Leighton are "responsible for serious deficiencies," while the government, as the overseer, is also partly responsible.

The government-appointed commission into the station on the HK$90.7 billion Sha Tin to Central rail link said reinforcements will be finished in the middle of the year, and the Tuen Ma Line is expected to be fully open by the end of next year.

The cross-harbor section between Hung Hom and Admiralty is expected to open in the first quarter of 2022.

The report said: "Although cutting of rebars did take place, it was not extensive. The evidence indicated that no more than 3 percent of the threaded rebars were cut.

"The extent of the practice of cutting, while illicit, did not constitute a threat to the integrity of the station structure," it said.

But the reinforcements were suitable measures that ensured the safety of the station, said the report.

"All the independent engineering experts agreed that the suitable measures will add a measure of robustness to the structures," the commission said in the report. "There was therefore consensus that, with the suitable measures completed, the structures will be safe and fit for purpose."

The commission said both MTR and Leighton Contractors (Asia) Limited, the contractor of the Shatin to Central rail link project, was "responsible for serious deficiencies."

"The commission was of the judgment that both MTR and Leighton were responsible for serious deficiencies in their management and supervision systems.

"The commission was also of the view that the government, as overseer of the project, had to bear a measure of responsibility. It is evident that the Highways Department had not been able to detect failings in a timely manner nor had it taken firm action to ensure corrective actions were taken," it said.

Jacob Kam Chak-pui, chief executive of the MTR, apologized for shortcomings in managing the construction project.

"With the release of the final report, we are now very focused on bringing the Shatin to Central Link to completion to serve the public," Kam said, adding that the MTR will incorporate the comments and recommendations put forward by the commission. "We will seriously consider the findings and recommendations in this report and implement necessary follow-up action," he said.

This may include pursuing damages from contractors who have deviated from the contract.

The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Frank Chan Fan, also apologized at a press conference, admitting the government could have done better.

The government would set up a department to deal with railway-related matters.

But lawmaker Tanya Chan Suk-chong, who is also a member of the Legislative Council railways subcommittee, said: "Both the apologies from the government and the MTR lack sincerity, and I really doubt the conclusion of the commission claiming that the station is safe."

Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun was also disappointed, saying: "Management fees should not be paid to the MTR for this project. The corporation should also blacklist Leighton and not allow Leighton to tender for any new railway projects."

In late May 2018, 18 months after the structure of the extension of Hung Hom Station was completed, media reports suggested that illicit activities might have taken place in the steel reinforcement fixing works, including threads being cut from steel rebars.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor appointed the commission of inquiry on July 10 in the same year. It is headed by former deputy high court judge Michael Hartmann and assisted by civil engineer Peter Hansford.

The commission was to inquire into the facts and circumstances surrounding the steel reinforcement fixing works and concerns about public safety in the station structure.

The term of the commission was extended after further failings were discovered.