Government invites MTRCL to proceed with detailed planning and design of South Island Line (West) project
******************************************************************************************
The SIL(W) project will adopt a smart and green mass transit system and consist of an approximately 7.5-km long dedicated and elevated corridor and tunnel, eight stations (namely Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, Tin Wan, Wah Kwai, Wah Fu, Cyberport, Queen Mary Hospital and HKU) and a depot near the Cyberport Station. It will provide stable, environmentally friendly and convenient feeder service for around 130 000 residents and major facilities such as the Queen Mary Hospital and Cyberport in the western and southern parts of Hong Kong Island, facilitating them to go to Wong Chuk Hang Station of the South Island Line (East) and HKU Station of the Island Line. It will form a transit loop with the South Island Line (East) and Island Line, and will improve the resilience of the railway network.
The SIL(W) will provide residents in the area with an alternative traveling option of new mass transit-based transportation in lieu of road-based transportation, enjoying a shorter journey time. The existing journey time from Wah Fu Estate to Admiralty via Wong Chuk Hang is about 35 minutes and that from Wah Fu Estate to HKU is about 25 minutes. After the commissioning of the SIL(W), the journey time to the two destinations will be reduced to about 20 minutes and 10 minutes respectively.
A spokesperson of the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "The alignment of the project passes through hilly terrains. The difference in altitude between Wah Fu Estate and Aberdeen promenade is over 60 metres. If heavy rail system were adopted, some sections would have to be built deep underground. The transport benefit and cost effectiveness are both unsatisfactory, making the underground heavy rail scheme financially not viable. Exercising an innovative approach to rise to the challenges, we decided to adopt a smart and green mass transit system which runs on dedicated elevated viaducts and tunnels to improve the overall cost effectiveness. Compared with the original underground heavy rail scheme, the estimated construction cost is reduced by about 40 per cent and the delivery programme is advanced by about two years."
The Government has invited the MTRCL to proceed with the detailed planning and design of the SIL(W) project, and will further negotiate with the MTRCL on the financial arrangement of the project. It is targeted to commence the advance construction works in 2027 for completion by 2034 to support developments in the area including the timetable of new population intake of the Wah Fu Estate redevelopment.
Ends/Saturday, December 20, 2025
Issued at HKT 10:15
Issued at HKT 10:15
NNNN