Minor settlement of railway facilities between MTR Kowloon Station and Olympic Station

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A Government spokesman said today (September 9) that, in the course of the foundation works under the project Relocation of Supporting Operational Facilities of Tsim Sha Tsui Fire Station Complex, Fire Services Club and other Fire Services Accommodations to To Wah Road, Kowloon, the reading recorded on September 7 in one of the settlement monitoring checkpoints installed in a section of the tunnel between Kowloon Station and Olympic Station of the MTR Tung Chung Line had reached 20.27 millimetres, slightly exceeding the pre-set trigger level for works suspension (20mm). Upon the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL)'s request, for the sake of prudence, the relevant works within the railway protection area were suspended on the same day.

The above-mentioned monitoring checkpoints were set up by the relevant contractor in meeting the MTRCL's requirement in accordance with the established procedures for railway protection areas in order to facilitate monitoring of settlement data by the MTRCL to ensure that the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway would not be affected by the works concerned.

The Buildings Department (BD) and the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) have deployed staff to inspect the railway tunnel concerned and confirmed that it is structurally safe. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has reviewed the monitoring data submitted by the MTRCL in relation to safe operation of the railway and confirmed that the condition of the railway fulfils the operational safety requirements. The construction works concerned have not affected the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway.

ArchSD and the MTRCL will continue to closely monitor the situation and maintain close communication with the BD and the EMSD to ensure the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway.

While the relevant works have been suspended, ArchSD and the MTRCL will request the contractor responsible for the construction works to formulate mitigation measures and adopt a construction method that would alleviate the effects on the structure of railway facilities.

Upon receipt of the proposals on mitigation measures and application for resumption of construction works from the contractor, ArchSD will scrutinise the application with a view to ensuring the structural safety of the railway facilities, including consulting the MTRCL and other relevant government departments. The EMSD will also confirm that the MTRCL has put in place stringent monitoring measures to ensure the safety of railway operation. Moreover, if the contractor proposes to revise the pre-set trigger level(s) for suspension of works, ArchSD will consider the proposal having regard to the circumstances after consulting the MTRCL and other relevant government departments. When the application for resumption of suspended works has been agreed, ArchSD, the BD and the EMSD will announce the decision to the public.

Ends/Thursday, September 9, 2021
Issued at HKT 16:45

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