The Hong Kong Government proposed 7 new railway projects in the "Railway Development Strategy 2014", and related projects have been launched one after another. However, the East Kowloon Line and the North Hong Kong Island Line still only hear the sound of stairs.
Recently, it has been circulating online that the MTR is studying an alternative plan for the East Kowloon Line. The new plan is to be constructed in a full-elevated form to replace the original underground plan.
The starting point of the new plan is changed to Choi Hung Station on the existing Kwun Tong Line, passing through Shun Shun, Sau Mau Ping, and ending at Po Tat. Compared with the original government plan, the line does not enter Po Lam in Tseung Kwan O.
In addition, it was originally planned to connect the Tung Chung Line and Tseung Kwan O Line, with the Tamar Station, the Convention and Exhibition Station and the North Hong Kong Island Line of Causeway Bay North Station in the middle.
According to online news, due to the complexity of the technology, the authorities are also studying alternatives. The new North Island Line will be extended to the west from North Point Station on the Tseung Kwan O Line to connect to the convention and exhibition station of the East Rail cross-sea section, but there will be no additions. Horse Station and Causeway Bay North Station will no longer be connected to the Tung Chung Line.
The MTR responded that the overall railway planning and development of Hong Kong is led by the government. It has submitted a proposal to the government on the East Kowloon Line earlier. Currently, it is still supplementing the contents of the proposal based on the opinions of policy bureaux and departments, and studying feasibility plans.
According to the Transport and Housing Bureau, the planning of the North Island Line involves complicated technical matters. For example, the alignment needs to be in line with the planning of the new coastal area on the north shore of Hong Kong Island and the connection with the railway line in operation. The MTR is responding to the government’s advice and it is feasible. The plan is for further study.
The East Kowloon Line proposed by "Railway Development Strategy 2014" (Photo of "Railway Development Strategy 2014")
"Railway Development Strategy 2014" proposes a number of new lines. When the Middle East Kowloon Line and the North Hong Kong Island Line project have not yet started, they are still being submitted to the MTR for research.
According to the original plan of the East Kowloon Line proposed by the authorities, the starting point will be located at the existing Diamond Hill Station, with additional stations including Choi Wan, Shuntian, Sau Mau Ping and Po Tat midway, and entering Po Lam Station, which connects to the Tseung Kwan O Line.
The plan at that time was 7.8 kilometers long, and the initial proposal was implemented from 2019 to 2025.
The East Kowloon Line was changed to a rainbow to connect Po Tat to Tseung Kwan O
According to online news, MTR is studying the construction of the East Kowloon Line as a full-elevated railway. The starting station will be changed to Choi Hung Station. It will pass through 6 stations including Caiyun, Shunli, Shun’an, Sau Mau Ping and Po Tat, but it will no longer be extended to Tseung Kwan O.
MTR did not deny the rumors that it is still studying feasible options
When MTR responded to the "Hong Kong 01" enquiry, it did not deny the news.
According to the MTR, the overall railway planning and development of Hong Kong will be led by the government and will cooperate with the government's promotion. It has submitted a proposal for the East Kowloon Line earlier, and is still supplementing the contents of the proposal with the opinions of policy bureaux and departments, and studying feasible options.
The North Hong Kong Island Line proposed by "Railway Development Strategy 2014" (Photo of "Railway Development Strategy 2014")
It is reported that the west extension of Tseung Kwan O Line from three minus two stations on the North Island Line does not connect to the Tung Chung Line
In addition, the planned North Hong Kong Island Line may also undergo major changes.
According to the recommendations of the Transportation and Housing Bureau's "Railway Development Strategy 2014", the North Hong Kong Island Line is a railway line that runs along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island and connects to the Tung Chung Line and Tseung Kwan O Line.
The line was originally scheduled to have 3 stations, including the East Rail Convention and Exhibition Station, which will be opened from June to July next year. Two new stations will be built in Tamar and Causeway Bay North. As for the existing Tung Chung Line, it will also be extended eastward and will be connected by Hong Kong Station. Transfer to Tamar Station to connect Tung Chung Line and Tseung Kwan O Line.
However, according to the news, the alternative plan currently under consideration will not set up Tamar Station and Causeway Bay North Station, but will directly extend the Tseung Kwan O Line from North Point Station to the Convention and Exhibition Station in the west; as for the Tung Chung Line, it will not extend eastward. The Tung Chung Line and Tseung Kwan O Line will not be connected.
When the Hong Kong Government introduced the North Island Line plan that year, its goals included diverting passenger traffic across the sea, reducing the load on the Island Line, and improving Hong Kong’s east and west connections.
The initial implementation time was from 2021 to 2026.
Transport and Housing Bureau: The planning of the North Hong Kong Island Line is complicated and the MTR is studying further in accordance with the government's opinion
The Transport and Housing Bureau replied that the proposed planning of the North Island Line involves complex technical issues, such as the alignment of the new waterfront area on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island and the connection with the railway line in operation. The MTR is responding to the government’s advice on a feasible plan. Further studies are made to improve the project design. When the proposed railway plan details, such as alignment, station location, implementation timetable, etc., are complete, the government will announce the future direction of the project in due course.
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