HONG KONG’s Financial Secretary Donald Tsang officiated at ceremonies on April 24 to mark the start of construction for the MTR extension to Tseung Kwan O. Several construction contracts have been awarded since the project was authorised last November, and MTR Corp Chairman Jack C K So expects to have the 12·5 km extension open to passengers in December 2002.
Diverging from the existing Kwun Tong line at Lam Tin, the extension serves the new towns of Tseung Kwan O and Yau Tong in the east of the region. There will initially be five stations at Yau Tong, Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O, Hang Hau and Po Lam. A sixth will be added near the depot at Area 86 (Tseung Kwan O South) when residential development reaches that point.
- The Kowloon - Canton Railway Corp board has approved plans for the next phase of its WestRail project, linking the existing East Rail main line at Sheung Shi to a new border crossing at Lok Ma Chau. Subject to government approval, work on the HK$9bn line could start next year for opening in 2004.
