Minor settlement holds up Kai Tak housing project

The foundation works of a Kai Tak public housing project was halted yesterday by the Housing Authority after a minor settlement at an emergency exit at Sung Wong Toi station on Monday.

The government said the settlement reached the 20-millimeter pre-set trigger level and all relevant foundation works of the project within 30 meters of the emergency exits were suspended.

The settlement monitoring checkpoint was installed by the authorities, which was required by the MTR Corporation to protect railways, a government spokesman said.

"These procedures aim to facilitate the MTRC's monitoring of settlement data of nearby projects, thereby ensuring that the structural safety of railway facilities and the safety of railway operation would not be affected by the works concerned," he said.

The spokesman added the emergency exit is "structurally safe" and the settlement has not affected the safety of other adjacent railway facilities.

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung said the authorities will seek suitable methods that will not affect the railway.

"Before the foundation works of the housing project are allowed to resume, relevant government departments, including the Housing Authority, Buildings Department and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, will ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are adopted at the construction site so that the railway can be operated safely," Lam said.

The MTRC confirmed that the safety of the Tuen Ma Line was not affected by the settlement, saying the company will continue to monitor the situation.

The company has been monitoring the construction of the Kai Tak public housing project since September last year. It has required the project contractors to set up multiple checkpoints between the Sung Wong Toi and Kai Tak stations, it said.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com