Hong Kong’s Executive Council approved a decision on December 10 to build the domestic passenger component of the West Rail scheme (RG 7.96 p418) and submit proposals for new links with China for further study. Under the revised schedule, the new line from West Kowloon to Yuen Long would open by 2002 and the extension to Tuen Mun by September 2003, about two years behind the previous completion date of 2001.
Building the Tuen Mun line without associated links to the Chinese network at Lok Ma Chau for passengers and at Lo Wu for freight would cost HK$49·6bn rather than the HK$75bn required for West Rail in its entirety.
- Government approval has been granted for detailed design of the Tseung Kwan O metro extension to begin. The line will include four stations and a terminus at Po Lam.
H A topping-out ceremony was held on December 18 to mark the completion of structural work on Tung Chung station, the second of seven to be completed on MTRC’s Airport Railway. The first to be completed, Tai Kok Tsui, was named the Olympic Station on December 16 to mark Hong Kong’s achievements in the games. o
