West Island line and South Island line

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The West Island Line and South Island Line are two new proposed MTR lines approved by the Executive Council of Hong Kong to proceed with further planning. Three schemes have been put forward since.

Original scheme

Historical background

In the original plan, These new lines are suggested in the Second Railway Development Study (RDS-2) to provide direct linkage to populated areas of Wah Fu and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District to the CBD of Hong Kong. Originally, the South Island Line project is not viable without additional development for more residents and employment in the Southern District to met financial internal rate. The building of West Island line depends on reclamation and redevelopment of Western District.

Alignment and Stations

In May 2002, MTR Corporation Limited (MTRC) submitted the first proposal of West Island Line and South Island Line to fit in the promotion of tourism development in Aberdeen. The West Island Line is an extension of Island Line. It was divided into two phases:

  • Phase 1
  • Phase 2 is an additional extension to Kennedy Town. The construction of Phase 2, which includes a depot near Kennedy Town station, was subjected to the land availability of western reclamation.

The South Island Line is a semi-circular line, with stations:

On 21 January 2003, the Executive Council of Hong Kong gave MTRC permission to proceed with further planning on Phase 1 of West Island Line, and made modifications on the South Island Line project to achieve a more cost-effective option and the parallel development of Route 4.

Drawbacks

However, the first proposal has some major drawbacks:

  1. Construction of West Island Line as heavy railway type tunnels and stations will not include Kennedy Town if there is no Western reclamation.
  2. Great environmental impact and traffic management challenge if West Island Line goes under Des Vouex Road West.
  3. No Aberdeen station for serving the Aberdeen area.
  4. Transfer station at Wan Chai does not cater well for the needs of cross-harbour trips (they must change to Island Line heading Admiralty and another change to Tsuen Wan Line for cross-harbour trains).

Preliminary scheme

MTRC started a feasibility study of the lines in mid-2003 to provide a cost-effective option for them. The study also evaluated the external benefits of the project and its impact on other modes of public transport. The company derived a modified proposal in November 2003 for the two new lines, with three options of alignment in the South Island Line part, to address the issue of drawbacks in the initial scheme. The two lines are medium capacity rail lines.

Alignment and Stations

West Island Line - from Sheung Wan to Wong Chuk Hang

South Island Line (Option A alignment) - from South Horizons to Admiralty

Alignment Options of South Island Line

Three alignment options of South Island Line:

  • Option A: Ocean Park > Happy Valley > Wan Chai > Admiralty
The alignment is the most expensive, but have the greatest catchment.
  • Option B: Ocean Park > Admiralty (no intermediate station)
  1. Reduce travel times from Southern District to CBD.
  2. Least expensice option.
  • Option C: Ocean Park > Admiralty (> Wan Chai > Happy Valley)
Similar to option B, but enable further extension to Happy Valley in the future.

Revised alignment scheme

Alignment and Stations

The corporation handed in the Revised Alignment Scheme in end-March 2004. The third proposal includes three rail lines.

Island Line extension

A short extension from Sheung Wan to Sai Ying Pun, in which the latter station provides a transfer to the West Island Line.

West Island Line - Running from Sai Ying Pun to Wong Chuk Hang

South Island Line - Running from South Horizons to Admiralty, still have three alignment options

Interchange Stations

The above scheme has interchanges at Sai Ying Pun, Wong Chuk Hang, Admiralty and probably Wan Chai. They have the following characteristics to enhance transfers: Sai Ying Pun

West Island Line on upper island platform, Island Line on lower island platform. Transfer by short esculator ride.

Wong Chuk Hang

Double island platform with three tracks. West Island Line trains uses the center track while South Island Line trains use those on the two sides. Convenient cross-platform transfer can be made in both directions.

Admiralty

A new island platform will be built under Queensway. Two 100-metre transfer passages are built to connect the new station with existing station. Shortened transfer time can be done by installing esculators and converyors. Possible passage can be made to connect KCR Sha Tin to Central Link rail project.

See also

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