CHINA: MTR Corp is now carrying out operational trials and system testing ahead of the opening on October 23 of the 2⋅6 km extension of the Kwun Tong Line to Ho Man Tin and Whampoa in Kowloon.
Whampoa will replace Yau Ma Tei as the western terminus of the route, although some trains will terminate at Ho Man Tin. Peak service frequency will be every 2 min to Ho Man Tin and 4 min to Whampoa.
Construction of the extension had started in mid-2011, with tunnel breakthrough achieved in December 2014. As well as complex ground conditions, contractors had to deal with severe space limitations in this densely-populated part of Hong Kong.
MTR Project Director Dr Philco Wong thanked the local community for their ‘immense support and patience’ during construction. He also paid tribute to the 700 engineering specialists and 2 800 workers involved in the project.
According to MTR Operations Director Adi Lau, 100 members of staff are now carrying out ‘stress tests’ of systems and equipment including platform screen doors, ticket vending machines and ticket gates. Over 550 000 cycles of testing are to be carried out on 120 sets of platform screen doors.
