Smart and green the way to go for new MTR line

Ayra Wang

South Island Line (West) will be a smart and green mass transit system, replacing the initial proposal for a heavy rail to connect Wong Chuk Hang Station to HKU Station, the Transport and Logistics Bureau said.

In a paper to be discussed on Friday, the bureau said the smart and green system is "technically feasible" compared to the original heavy rail scheme.

"The proposed smart and green mass transit system is of medium carrying capacity, mainly running on elevated viaducts, which will be completely separated from and not affected by existing road traffic," the bureau said.

It added that the heavy rail scheme was abandoned due to unsatisfactory transport benefits and cost-effectiveness.

"Given the hilly terrains and constrained by the climbing capability of heavy rail, some sections of South Island Line (West) have to be built deep underground," the bureau said.

The proposed 7.5-kilometer line will connect Wong Chuk Hang Station on the South Island Line and HKU Station on the Island Line, passing through areas around Aberdeen, Wah Fu, Cyberport and Pok Fu Lam.

The line is expected to serve nearly 130,000 residents and 50,000 workers and will shorten the travel time from Wong Chuk Hang to the university by 20 minutes.

Due to the hilly terrain, there is a preliminary proposal to adopt a tunnel form for a section from Queen Mary Hospital to HKU.

The bureau aims to start planning and designing for the smart and green system next year.

"We will strive to commence advance construction works in 2027 to tally with the timetable for new population intake of the Wah Fu Estate redevelopment," it said.

Meanwhile, the construction works of the Tung Chung Line extension are expected to be completed by 2029 and Oyster Bay Station on Tung Chung Line is expected to be completed by 2030, the bureau said.

Tuen Mun South Extension, the first phase of Northern Link Kwun Tung Station and Hung Shui Kiu Station are expected to be completed by 2030, 2027 and 2034, respectively.

Construction works of the Northern Link Main Line will commence next year and are expected to be completed in 2034, the bureau added.

New Territories North lawmaker and engineer Gary Zhang Xinyu expects the construction works of South Island Line (West) to be finished within five years following advance works in 2027.

Southern District Council member Adam Lai Ka-chi suggested considering partially opening the line before the project is complete to meet the demand.

Lai also urged MTR to increase carrying capacity in the district.

Furthermore, MTR said the Tuen Mun South Extension design was simplified to reduce the impact on the river.

The project will extend the Tuen Ma Line southward by 2.4km from the existing Tuen Mun Station via a 1.7km viaduct, of which 1.3km will be on Tuen Mun River, including a 250-meter cross-river railway bridge.

The company said it has adopted a lifted transfer beam and two V-shaped piers to support the viaduct while taking measures to avoid pollution.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com