Kwu Tung

古洞
Future MTR rapid transit station
(Gazetted, construction expected to begin 2023)
Cut-and-cover construction of Kwu Tung station (January 2005) during the building of the Lok Ma Chau spur line
Chinese name
Chinese古洞
Literal meaningold cave
General information
LocationHo Sheung Heung Road × Ma Tso Lung Road, Kwu Tung
North District, Hong Kong
Coordinates22°30′27″N 114°05′59″E / 22.50752°N 114.09962°E / 22.50752; 114.09962
ElevationUnderground
Owned byKowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (East Rail line)
MTR Corporation (Northern Link)
Operated byMTR Corporation
Line(s)
Platforms2 (1 island platform)
Tracks2
Connections
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Platform levels1
Other information
Station codeKTU
WebsiteKwu Tung Station
History
OpeningExpected: 2027; 3 years' time (2027)[1]
Electrified25 kV 50 Hz AC (Overhead line)
Key dates
2021Planning and design commences [2]
2022Project gazetted under the Railway Ordinance[3]
2023Expected commencement of construction[1]
2027Expected completion of construction[1]
Services
Preceding station MTR MTR Following station
Future
Sheung Shui
towards Admiralty
 East Rail line Lok Ma Chau
Terminus
Proposed
San Tin
towards Kam Sheung Road
 Northern Link Terminus
Location
Hong Kong MTR system map
Hong Kong MTR system map
Kwu Tung
Location within the MTR system

Kwu Tung (Chinese: 古洞站) is a planned underground infill station on the Lok Ma Chau spur line of the East Rail line of the MTR rapid transit network in Hong Kong. The station will be situated near Kwu Tung in North District, New Territories.

It is part of the first phase of the Northern Link and act as its eastern terminus when phase 2 is completed,[2] with an expected construction cost of HK$3.5 billion in December 2015.[4]

History

In 2001, KCR Corporation, then operator of the East Rail line (known then simply as "East Rail"), proposed a spur line that would reach the Lok Ma Chau checkpoint. A small area of land in Kwu Tung, an area in between Sheung Shui and Lok Ma Chau, was acquired by KCR for the construction of an underground station. When construction began in 2002, the length of the spur line was built using tunnel boring machines (TBMs) through Kwu Tung.[5][6] An underground station box structure was constructed through cut-and-cover, featuring the running tunnels running alongside an island platform.[7] When the spur line finally opened in 2007, trains ran through the unfinished Kwu Tung station but never stopped there.[8] While the station was never completed, in 2007, the design contractor Arup stated the retaining wall would be strong enough for any future construction works. Also, the structures on the edges of the unfinished platforms were strong enough for future installation of any platform screen doors.[7] At present, the station only consists of an underground area excavated allowing for future platforms.

In 2014, after the merger of KCR and MTR, the Government supported the completion of the station and the development of the Northern Link and recommended the MTR Corporation to do so.[9][10] The Hong Kong Government investigation found that 447 ha (4.47 km2) of land in Kwu Tung North is available for development as part of the government's plan to increase the area's population by 114,300.[11]

In 2021, MTR announced that Arup, the design contractor for the original station box, would be returning for the first phase of the Northern Link.[2] The construction of the station was approved by the government in 2021, in anticipation of rising transport demand in the Kwu Tung North New Development Area.[3] Construction is expected to start in 2023.[1] East Rail Line trains are expected to start operating at this station in 2027.[1] The station will serve as a major public transport hub in the northern New Territories when the Northern Link is completed in 2034.[12][1]

Gallery

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Annual Report 2021: Excellence in Motion" (PDF). MTR Corporation. 2022-03-10. p. 25. Retrieved 2022-08-09. A design consultant was appointed for Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line in April 2021, with construction targeted to commence in 2023 for completion in 2027.
  2. ^ a b c "Detailed planning and design of Northern Link Phase 1 commences" (PDF) (Press release). Hong Kong: MTR Corporation. 2021-04-22. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  3. ^ a b "Addition of railway station at Kwu Tung gazetted" (Press release). The Government of Hong Kong SAR. 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  4. ^ 2023 Interim Results (PDF) (Report). MTR Corporation. 2023-08-10. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  5. ^ "KCRC welcomes endorsement of tunnel option" (Press release). KCR. 2001-09-18. Archived from the original on 2018-10-15. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  6. ^ Hyder Consulting (November 2003). KCRC East Rail Extensions: Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau. Monthly EM&A Report - October 2003 (PDF) (Report). Environmental Protection Department, The Government of Hong Kong SAR. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  7. ^ a b "The Arup Journal 2007 Issue 3". Arup Group. 2007. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  8. ^ "Lok Ma Chau checkpoint to open mid-August". news.gov.hk. 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  9. ^ "LCQ12: Railway Development Strategy 2014" (Press release). The Government of Hong Kong SAR. 2014-11-20. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  10. ^ Railway Development Strategy 2014 (PDF) (Report). Transport and Housing Bureau, The Government of Hong Kong SAR. September 2014. p. 22. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  11. ^ "Kwu Tung North New Development Area". Kwu Tung North/Fanling North New Development Area, The Government of Hong Kong SAR. 2022-07-25. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  12. ^ "LCQ11: New railway projects" (Press release). The Government of Hong Kong SAR. 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2022-08-12.

External links

East Rail line
Northern Link
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