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Hong
Kong has committed to investing more than HK$100 billion (US$13
billion) in six new railway lines scheduled for completion
between 2002 and 2005. Railways are considered as efficent and
environmentally friendly mass carriers that should form the
backbone of a well co-ordinated transport system. The new
railway lines comprise the East Rail Extensions, West Rail,
Tseung Kwan O Extension, Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Link and the
Penny's Bay Rail Link.
The Kowloon-Canton Railway
Corporation (KCRC) has embarked upon three major construction
contracts for the Tsim Sha Tsui (East Rail) Extension at a
combined value of about HK$2,555 million.
The contracts for the
construction of the East Tsim Sha Tsui Station and the
Pedestrian Subway linking, the new KCRC East Tsim Sha Tsui
Station and the MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station were awarded to
Gammon - Nishimatsu Joint Venture at a price of about HK$1,915
million.
The contract for the
construction of the tunnels running from Hung Hom to Tsim Sha
Tsui was awarded to Gammon at a price of about HK$640
million.
Tsim Sha Tsim Extension will
extend southwards by 1 kilometre from the existing Hung Hom
Station to East Tsim Sha Tsui going underground below
Salisbury Road with the station located beneath the Middle
Road Children's Playground and Wing On Plaza. The subways will
extend below Signal Hill, Middle Road, Mody Road, Nathan Road
and Chatham Road.
Also, associated with the
station construction is an extensive underpass in Salisbury
Road, required by Highways Department to improve traffic
flows.
During conception, the project
was the subject of a rigorous Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) Study by KCRC in accordance with the requirements of the
HK Governments EIA Ordinance. This identified a number of
critical environmental aspects associated with construction of
the project, including preservation of historical artifacts,
protection of existing trees, minimisation of traffic
disruption, impact of noise and dust etc. in this densely
populated and popular tourist location.
In order to achieve the
stringent noise standards required by the Environmental
Protection Department, the project team has implemented a
system of real time noise monitoring adjacent to noise
sensitive receivers. Environmental pollution from piling has
been reduced by the introduction into Hong Kong of Hydraulic
Pile Presses to silently push rather than hammer piles into
the ground. In addition, the uses of closed loop or direct
fluid flushing down-the-hole hammers avoids substantial mud
and dust being generated. Thus, is important when some piles
are installed within one metre of property frontage.
Construction of the Tsim Sha
Tsui Extension is due for completion in 2004. Upon completion
of the new railways the public can expect to enjoy faster and
more reliable travel throughout Hong Kong, from Lo Wu to
Admiralty in about 50 minutes, Tin Shui Wai to Central in 40
minutes and Tseung Kwan O to Central in about 20 minutes.
Project: East Rail
Extensions Pedestrian Subway to MTR TST Station
(In joint venture with Nishimatsu)
Contract value: HK$354.3 million (US$45.5 million)
Construction period: March 2001 - August 2004
Project: East Rail
Extensions Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui Tunnels
Contract value: HK$640.3 million (US$82.3 million)
Construction period: March 2001 - August 2004
Project: East Rail
Extensions East Tsim Sha Tsui Station
(In joint venture with Nishimatsu)
Contract value: HK$1,561 million (US$200.6 million)
Construction period: March 2001 - August 2004
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