West Island Line subway opening marks the end of lengthy works projects

The opening of a 3.3km extension to Hong Kong’s Island Line underground railway has connected western residential areas to the central business district.

The West Island Line extension connects Sheung Wan to three newly-built stations – Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong University and Kennedy Town – in a journey that takes 7 minutes, compared to a 30-minute bus ride over the same distance. Among thecontractors, global management, engineering and development consultancy Mott MacDonald had worked on the project since 2009. The company designed the temporary works and construction sequences for the caverns, running tunnels, two station entrances, overrun tunnels at Kennedy Town and some associated slope works. “The significant depth of the tunnels and caverns, in the highly-urbanised location, certainly made this project one of the more complex,” says Mott MacDonald transport director Mark Swales. Other contractors included Meinhardt Group engineers, as well as joint venture partners Gammon-Nishimatsu WIL and Gragages-Maeda-Bachy Soletanche.