Kwun Tong Line Extension Project, Hong Kong

The 2.6km extension of the Kwun Tong Line (KTL) will link up the Kowloon City District with the rest of Hong Kong. Construction on the project commenced in July 2011 and is expected to be completed by 2015.

The line will extend the existing KTL from Yau Ma Tei station to Whampoa via the Ho Man Tin station. The project is owned by the Chief Executive in Council Government of Hong Kong. The contract to operate the extension line has been awarded to MTR Corporation.

Passengers will be able to travel from Yau Ma Tei to Whampoa station in about five minutes upon completion of the KTL in 2015.

The line will have an intermediate station at Ho Man Tin, which will be an interchange station between the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) and the Kwun Tong Line Extension.

Hong Kong line extension project

The KTL extension project was gazetted in November 2009 under the railway ordinance after holding due public consultation activities with the stake holders between 2008 and 2009.

The Chief Executive in Council Government of Hong Kong and MTRCL handled all the public objections and enquiries. In June 2010, MTRCL carried out a detailed design and amendments to the scheme.

The KTL extension was approved in November 2010. It received an Environmental Permit from the Director of Environmental Protection as its Environmental Impact Assessment report was approved in September 2010.

The cost of the project was about $4.2bn according to 2007 estimates. Escalations in construction prices however increased the project cost by 30% in 2009. The estimated cost of the project stands at HK$5.35bn ($688m) according to 2009 estimates.

The project will benefit passengers by providing the needed rail services to Ho Man Tin and Whampoa area which are served only by road transport. It reduces the road traffic and thereby reduces environmental pollution. It will also reduce travelling times significantly. Emission-free electric trains will be run on the line.

The project will create more than 1,000 jobs during construction phases and another 160 jobs during operational phase.

Infrastructure and construction of the Kwun Tong Line

The project broke ground for construction in July 2011. It is expected to be completed by 2015.

The construction involves mechanical excavation and drilling works as most of the tunnels between Yau Me Tei and Whampoa stations are located in deep rocks.

Ho Man Tin station is located at the site of the former Valley Road Estate, which is located on the geographical limitation that will be constructed by using open blast methods.

The open blast method of construction will be carried out under the guidance of the Mines Division of Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD).

Construction of the Whampoa station, concourse and platforms at Hung Hom Road, Tak On Street and Shung King Street will be carried out using a cut and cover method.

Contractors involved in the 2.6km rail line extension plan

Arup was appointed as the lead consultant for the project in 2011. The company is also responsible for providing architectural inputs.

In May 2011, Nishimatsu Construction was contracted to carry out construction works on the Yau Ma Tei to Whampoa tunnels and Ho Man Tin station.

The contract involves construction of part of Gascoigne Road Rest Garden, Club de Recreio, a tunnel between Yau Ma Tei and Ho Man Tin stations and the Ho Man Tin station.

In May 2011, the joint venture of Chun Wo and Hip Hing was awarded with a contract to construct Whampoa station and an overrun tunnel.

The project also includes construction of temporary works on Hung Lok Road, Hung Hom Road, Tak Man Street, Man Siu Street, Man Tai Street, Shung King Street, Tak On Street, Tak Ting Street and Wan Hoi Street.