THREE contracts for construction of the Kowloon Southern Link were awarded by KCRC on August 1 at a cost of HK$3·1bn.
Authorised by the Hong Kong government on June 24, the 3·8 km KSL forms an extension of West Rail from Nam Cheong to East Tsim Sha Tsui, where it will connect with the recently-opened line from Hung Hom. Total cost of the project is put at HK$8·3bn. Construction is expected to start by the end of this month, with completion scheduled for 2009. WestRail trains will then run through to Hung Hom, where connections will be provided to East Rail and the planned Sha Tin - Central Link.
Two contracts have been awarded to China State Construction Engineering to design and build the running tunnels from Nam Cheong to the Yau Ma Tei ventilation shaft and from there to West Kowloon. KCRC has selected a joint venture of Leighton, Balfour Beatty, Kumagai and John Holland to build the third section between West Kowloon to East Tsim Sha Tsui.
