New MTR Line To Partially Open Early Next Year

The government announced on Thursday that part of the MTR's scandal-hit Shatin-Central Link will be opened early next year, with trains running to and from Tai Wai and the new Kai Tak Station.

Services will pass through the existing Diamond Hill Station and another new stop, Hin Keng.

But trains won't continue any further along the Kowloon stretch of the line until reinforcement work is completed at Hung Hom Station where construction flaws have raised safety fears.

The Kai Tak to Hung Hom section of the link is not expected to open until late 2021, more than two years later than originally scheduled.

"MTRCL recommended in their reports a series of works and measures at and near the Hung Hom Station extension in order to satisfy the relevant codes of practice and contract requirements. There will be long-term monitoring of the structure upon completion of the works, tentatively in late 2020 or early 2021," Transport Secretary Frank Chan said.

"Taking into account the testing and trial runs, the Tai Wai to Hung Hom Station [section] can only be fully commissioned before the end of 2021," Chan added.

The Kai Tak to Hung Hom part of the line will take in the new stations of Sung Wong Toi and To Kwa Wan, as well as Ho Man Tin.

Eventually, the link will be extended across the harbour to Admiralty, via a new station at the Wan Chai exhibition centre.

Steel reinforcement bars were not installed properly at platforms at Hung Hom Station, prompting the government to set up a commission of inquiry into the dodgy construction work.

Although an interim report has found that the station is safe, the government and the MTR Corporation agreed on reinforcement works to ensure the public can have confidence in the extension project.