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In response to media enquiries on the progress of the works on the West Island Line (WIL) and the commissioning of the WIL, the Transport and Housing Bureau said today (May 29):
The Government is aware of the difficulties and challenges the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) is facing during the construction of the WIL. To avoid the impact of tunnel excavation works on nearby buildings, the ground freezing method has been used for excavating the underground passageway between the First Street/Second Street entrance and the Ki Ling Lane entrance of Sai Ying Pun Station, and excavation works have to be carried out slowly. MTRCL informed the Highways Department (HyD) last Thursday (May 22) that apart from the Ki Ling Lane entrance, which will not be ready when the WIL is commissioned in December this year, the First Street/Second Street entrance is expected to be completed in December this year due to the difficulty in the excavation of the passageway.
Underground excavation works are high-risk construction activities. Should there be any delay in the works, the First Street/Second Street entrance will not be ready for use at the end of this year. Under such circumstances, Sai Ying Pun Station cannot be commissioned in view of fire safety concerns.
Nevertheless, MTRCL at present maintains the target of opening the whole WIL in December this year. As a prudent measure, MTRCL has devised a backup plan and expected that they could confirm the completion date of the First Street/Second Street entrance in October this year as well as the arrangement for the opening of the WIL, including whether the backup plan has to be activated.
The Transport and Housing Bureau agrees that MTRCL has the need to prepare a backup plan for the opening of the WIL. HyD and relevant departments will continue their close supervision on the progress of WIL works and devote their efforts in the inspection, testing and approval of WIL facilities, aiming for the smooth opening of the WIL on time.
Ends/Thursday, May 29, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:17
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