7th June 2023 – (Hong Kong) The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has suspended foundation works for a public housing development project at Kai Tak Site 2B3 after settlement monitoring at the MTR Sung Wong Toi emergency egress point of Tuen Ma Line reached 20 millimetres on 5th June, triggering the pre-set level for suspension of works. The suspension was requested by the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) under the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Housing.
The settlement monitoring checkpoint was installed by the HA to meet the requirement of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) in accordance with the established procedures for railway protection. These procedures aim to ensure that nearby construction projects do not affect the structural safety of railway facilities and the safety of railway operation.
The ICU, the HA’s building team, the Buildings Department (BD), and the MTRCL have deployed staff to inspect the emergency egress point and confirmed that it is structurally safe. The settlement has not affected the structural safety of other adjacent railway facilities. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has reviewed the monitoring data submitted by the MTRCL in relation to operation safety of the railway and confirmed that the condition of the railway fulfills the operation safety requirements.
The ICU and the MTRCL will continue to closely monitor the situation and maintain close communication with the BD and the EMSD to ensure the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway. The HA’s building team responsible for the development project will be required to formulate mitigation measures and suitable construction methods that would not cause adverse impacts on the railway facilities.
Upon receipt of the proposal and application for resumption of the suspended works from the HA, the ICU will scrutinise the application including consulting the MTRCL and other relevant government departments to ensure the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway. The EMSD will also confirm that the MTRCL has put in place stringent monitoring measures to ensure the safety of railway operation. If the HA’s building team proposes to revise the monitoring trigger level(s) for suspension of works, the ICU will consider the proposal after consulting the MTRCL and other relevant government departments.