Hong Kong urges MTR to report on Tung Chung West construction flaws within two weeks
Hong Kong's Highways Department demands MTR investigate and report within two weeks on concrete pillar defects at Tung Chung West station. A contractor attempted unauthorised repairs. The 2029 target for the Tung Chung Line extension remains unchanged.
The Highways Department of the Hong Kong government has demanded that rail operator MTR submit a detailed investigation report within two weeks after construction quality issues were discovered at the site of the future Tung Chung West station.
The department said on Monday it received a notification from MTR that during inspections, defects were found in some concrete pillars at the platform level of the station. The contractor had also attempted remedial work using a method that had not been approved. MTR immediately ordered the contractor to stop all related work.
Inspectors from the department visited the site on Tuesday and Wednesday to verify the situation. A meeting with MTR was held on Thursday to follow up on the incident and review the progress of the investigation. The department has instructed MTR to conduct a thorough probe and submit a comprehensive report within two weeks of the initial notification. The contractor must also prepare a detailed repair plan and carry out all remedial work at its own expense to ensure the work meets required standards.
The Highways Department stressed it is closely monitoring the progress, safety and quality of the entire Tung Chung Line extension project. It conducts regular site inspections and random checks on critical construction procedures based on a risk-based approach. The last inspection at Tung Chung West station, in October, focused on the concourse level and examined pillars before concrete pouring had begun.
The department reiterated that the government places high priority on the quality and safety of infrastructure projects. It will follow up actively under the project agreement's quality and progress monitoring requirements and review all site supervision and quality acceptance procedures to prevent similar incidents. It is also in close contact with the Buildings Department and other relevant authorities to oversee MTR's repair work and ensure the overall structural safety of the project. The target of opening the extension by 2029 remains unchanged, the department said.
