Cross-harbour section of Hong Kong’s most expensive rail project delayed further, with MTR Corporation blaming radicals for vandalism of East Rail line

Rail giant estimates Hung Hom-Admiralty section of Sha Tin-Central rail link will be delayed until early 2022 from previously revised fourth quarter of 2021

East Rail line facilities have been damaged repeatedly since October, resulting in cancellation of link’s construction during non-service hours, it says

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Radical anti-government protesters trashed University station. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 8:54pm, 4 Dec 2019Updated: 10:55pm, 4 Dec 2019

The cross-harbour section of Hong Kong’s most expensive rail project will be further delayed until the first quarter of 2022 as vandalism of another line by radical protesters has hindered work, according to the city’s embattled MTR Corporation.

In a Legislative Council paper issued on Wednesday, the rail giant estimated the Hung Hom-Admiralty section of the scandal-hit Sha Tin-Central rail link would be delayed from the previously revised fourth quarter of 2021.

The MTR Corp said the further delay was caused by persistent vandalism to facilities on the East Rail line – which serves part of the HK$99.1 billion link – during the months-long anti-government protests.

“Since October, East Rail line facilities have been damaged repeatedly, resulting in the cancellation of the rail link’s construction during non-service hours. Because of this, our project team has been unable to conduct scheduled tests on the East Rail line’s new signalling system,” it said, adding that it also hindered railway connection work and the replacement of trains.

A construction scandal at Hung Hom station previously delayed work. Photo: Winson Wong

“The MTR Corp estimates that the Hung Hom-Admiralty section’s opening will need to be delayed to the first quarter of 2022.”