New south Kowloon rail link gazetted

The government today (March 26) published in the Gazette the new Kowloon Southern Link (KSL) rail line to be constructed by the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation.

The link will provide a 3.8-kilometre passenger rail line, linking the West Rail terminus at Nam Cheong Station with the East Tsim Sha Tsui Station now under construction.

The KSL project was recommended in the government's Railway Development Strategy 2000. On completion, both East Rail and West Rail will terminate at Hung Hom Station with convenient cross-platform interchanges provided.

"The KSL will bring enormous transport and economic benefits as it provides a direct rail link from the North-west New Territories to the urban Kowloon area. The North-west New Territories is now home to nearly one million people with steady population growth predicted in the coming years," a government spokesman said.

The link will result in annual time savings to public transport users of some 19 million hours in 2016. Passengers will also be able to travel conveniently between West Rail and East Rail through their common terminus at Hung Hom Station.

The Kowloon Southern Link will run along the eastern side of the MTR Tung Chung Line, turn to Canton Road near Jordan Road, and then join the East Tsim Sha Tsui Station at Salisbury Road.

The proposed railway alignment and the adoption of the bored tunnel method along Canton Road will minimise land resumption and disturbance to traffic in the area.

The entire rail link will be underground. Special track-form and innovative technology will be adopted to ensure that the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Hong Kong Space Museum will not be affected by the KSL operations. There will be a new station at West Kowloon where pedestrian links will be provided to connect with the Airport Railway's Kowloon Station.

Subject to the authorisation of the Chief Executive in Council, the KCRC will start construction works early next year for completion in early 2009.

Proceeding with the KSL reflects the government's commitment to make railway the backbone of the public transport network. The construction will create about 2,800 job opportunities at its peak in the next few years.

Ends/Friday, March 26, 2004