Kwu Tung station explained

Style:MTR
Kwu Tung
Native Name:古洞
Native Name Lang:yue
Mlanguage:
Kwu Tung station
C:古洞
J:gu2 dung6
P:Gǔdòng
L:old cave
Child:yes
Type:

Future MTR rapid transit station
(Construction began on September 2023)

Address:Ho Sheung Heung Road × Ma Tso Lung Road, Kwu Tung
Borough:North District, Hong Kong
Coordinates:22.5075°N 114.0996°W
Elevation:Underground
Line:
  • (expected 2027)
  • (under planning)
Connections:
Structure:Underground
Platforms:2 (1 island platform)
Levels:1
Tracks:2
Opening:Expected: [1]
Electrified: (Overhead line)
Code:KTU
Owned:Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (East Rail line)
MTR Corporation (Northern Link)
Operator:MTR Corporation
Years1:2021
Events1:Planning and design commences [2]
Years2:2022
Events2:Project gazetted under the Railway Ordinance[3]
Years4:2023
Events4:Commencement of construction
Years5:2027
Events5:Expected completion of construction
Map Type:Hong Kong MTR
Map Alt:Hong Kong MTR system map

Kwu Tung (Chinese: 古洞站) is a planned underground infill station on the Lok Ma Chau spur line of the 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 and act as its eastern terminus when phase 2 is completed, 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. 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 and recommended the MTR Corporation to do so.[9] [10] The Hong Kong Government investigation found that 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. 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.

On November 11, 2022, the government gazetted approval for the construction of the station.[12] On September 8, 2023, MTR awarded the contract for the design and construction of the station to Bouygues.[13] A groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 29.

East Rail Line trains are expected to start operating at this station in 2027. The station will serve as a major public transport hub in the northern New Territories when the Northern Link is completed in 2034.[14]

Station structure

This station has a set of island platform structures, and can install the necessary equipment in a short time to become a operational station, but no platform has been reserved for the Northern Link, so new platforms will need to be built north of the station in the future.[15] On the ground level, there are two emergency exits, including fire lifts and stairs, while other areas are covered with stone ballast.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Annual Report 2021: Excellence in Motion. MTR Corporation. 25. 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.. 2022-03-10. 2022-08-09.
  2. Detailed planning and design of Northern Link Phase 1 commences. 2021-04-22. 2022-08-09. MTR Corporation. Hong Kong.
  3. Addition of railway station at Kwu Tung gazetted. 2022-04-14. 2020-08-09. The Government of Hong Kong SAR.
  4. 2023 Interim Results. 2023-08-10. MTR Corporation. 12. 2023-08-23.
  5. KCR. 2001-09-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20181015104452/https://www.kcrc.com/en/announcements/2001/010918.html. KCRC welcomes endorsement of tunnel option. 2018-10-15. 2022-08-12.
  6. KCRC East Rail Extensions: Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau. Monthly EM&A Report - October 2003. November 2003. Hyder Consulting. Environmental Protection Department, The Government of Hong Kong SAR. 2022-08-12.
  7. Web site: The Arup Journal 2007 Issue 3. 2007. 3. Arup Group. 2022-08-12.
  8. News: Lok Ma Chau checkpoint to open mid-August. 2007-08-08. news.gov.hk. 2022-08-12.
  9. LCQ12: Railway Development Strategy 2014. 2014-11-20. The Government of Hong Kong SAR. 2022-08-12.
  10. Railway Development Strategy 2014. September 2014. Transport and Housing Bureau, The Government of Hong Kong SAR. 22. 2022-08-12.
  11. Web site: Kwu Tung North New Development Area. 2022-07-25. Kwu Tung North/Fanling North New Development Area, The Government of Hong Kong SAR. 2022-08-12.
  12. Web site: 古洞增設鐵路車站方案獲授權進行 . 2024-03-26 . www.info.gov.hk.
  13. Web site: 港鐵 > 招標及合約公告 . 2024-03-26 . www.mtr.com.hk . zh.
  14. LCQ11: New railway projects. 2021-03-24. The Government of Hong Kong SAR. 2022-08-12.
  15. Web site: 2013-04-04 . 洪水橋站及古洞站:新發展核心區 連繫鐵路 . 2024-03-26 . 獨立媒體.