A ground breaking ceremony for the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) project was held to mark the commencement of construction work. Over 100 guests from the community and the Government were joined by construction workers and members of the project team to witness this important milestone for the long-awaited rail line. Officiating at the Ground Breaking Ceremony, Chief Secretary for Administration Mr Stephen Lam Sui-lung said, “The Shatin to Central Link is a new strategic rail designed to enhance the entire railway network by linking up several existing railway lines. It is estimated that the new line will bring huge economic, social and environmental benefits
to the community. The commencement of work on the new line marks a significant step forward for Hong Kong in terms of infrastructure and economic development.”

“The new rail link plays a critically vital part in connecting more districts of Hong Kong with our integrated rail network, which will further improve Hong Kong’s public transport system, enhancing the public’s quality of life and injecting new momentum into the future development of Hong Kong,” said Mr Jay Walder, Chief Executive Officer of MTR Corporation, “It is truly a transformation project – one will take us to the next stage of our railway development by enhancing connectivity to cater for the growing needs of Hong Kong.” The 17-kilometre SCL consists of two sections, namely the “Tai Wai to Hung Hom Section” and “Hung Hom to Admiralty Section”, and will expand rail services to districts of East Kowloon such as Kai Tak, To Kwa Wan, Ma Tau Wai and Ho Man Tin, allowing these areas to rejuvenate and prosper. It will also link up several existing railway lines to form two
strategic railway corridors. The “East West Corridor” will link up the existing Ma On Shan Line with the West Rail Line, while the “North South Corridor” will extend the East Rail Line to Hong Kong Island.

The project is expected to create about 15,000 jobs throughout the construction period and will be completed in two phases, with the section between Tai Wai and Hung Hom expected to be finished in 2018 and the Hung Hom to Admiralty Section in 2020.