June opening set for key MTR link

The cross-harbor section of the Sha Tin to Central link is set to open for business as early as June.

MTR Corp said this in a document tabled with the Wan Chai district council yesterday that put the newly-built Exhibition Centre Station at three levels below ground following its topping out in November 2020.

The installation of equipment and facilities like furnishings, mechanical and electrical appliances is said to be seeing good progress, and the station is currently undergoing statutory inspections.

The two ventilation buildings - one on the station's west flank on Fleming Road and the other to the south near the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter - have already been substantially completed.

To help construction of the cross-harbor section of the East Rail Line, temporary traffic management measures are currently in place in the vicinity of northern Wan Chai.

"Depending on the progress of the construction, relevant road works are also expected to be completed within this year," MTR said.

It also said the Wan Chai ferry pier public transport interchange, which was temporarily relocated to the newly reclaimed area in 2015, will be closed down permanently and moved back to its original location in the first half.

The interchange will be renamed the Exhibition Centre station transport interchange, while the MTRC is in talks with government departments to hammer out pedestrian connections to the interchange and bus services arrangement.

Meanwhile, part of the Wan Chai sports ground facilities, previously relocated in 2015 due to the construction, is currently being reinstated, with work expected to be completed within this year.

Also expected to be completed this year is the reinstatement of arrangements for boat mooring at the typhoon shelter now that construction of a tunnel under the seabed of the shelter has been completed.

With the cross-harbor section of the East Rail Line set to start service as early as June, MTR said it will keep close contact with district councils and the community during the rest of the construction process.

Construction teams will also continue putting their best foot forward in finishing the construction and coordinate with government departments before undergoing tests and trial runs, allowing the railway line to commence service as soon as possible.