XN000022-1995-10-30 — Page 2

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Feasibility study for Ma On Shan rail link & KCR extension

The Government today (Monday) commissioned a $14.75 million feasibility study on the Ma On Shan to Tai Wai rail link and the KCR extension from Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui.

In a ceremony today, the Director of Highways, Mr Leung Kwok-sun, signed the agreement with a joint-venture consultancy comprising MVA (Asia) Ltd and Maunsell Consultants (Asia) Ltd.

Mr Leung said the Ma On Shan rail link and KCR extension were one of the three high priority railway projects identified in the Railway Development Strategy published in December 1994. The projects are proposed to be implemented by 2001.

"The findings of the comprehensive feasibility study will assist the Government to decide on the best way to implement this railway project," he said.

Mr Leung said the proposed Ma On Shan rail link would be an intermediate capacity system capable of carrying up to 40,000 passengers per peak hour.

It is envisaged that the alignment of the Ma On Shan rail link will mainly follow an existing railway reserve as shown on the Sha Tin and Ma On Shan Outline Zoning Plans.

It will largely be above ground with segregation from roadways. Provisions for interchanging with KCR will be made at Tai Wai.

The KCR extension will start from the KCR Kowloon Station and run underground along the East Tsim Sha Tsui promenade towards Tsim Sha Tsui where a new East Tsim Sha Tsui Station will be located.

Provision will also be made for future extension of KCR to the West Kowloon

Reclamation.

Upon completion, the railway lines will improve rail access to Ma On Shan areas and offer commuters from the North East New Territories a direct route to urban Kowloon without the need to interchange with the MTR at Kowloon Tong Station.

"This will save the journey time and help to relieve the congestion currently experienced at Kowloon Tong Station and along the Nathan Road Corridor," Mr Leung said.