West & South Island lines

[hkskyline]

高速電梯免行斜路
21/04/2006
太陽報

【本報訊】地鐵公司構思的西港島線，為西區居民提供一個地底行人網絡，由於部分車站與地面出入口位置相距達六十至七十米，相等於二十層樓高，為加快乘客往返車站及地面，地鐵建議在其中五個車站的出入口裝設五組高速升降機，代替行人扶手電梯接送乘客。

五個建議採用高速升降機的車站出入口，包括西營盤站的戴麟趾復康中心及正街熟食中心、大學站的香港大學及薄扶林道出入口，和山市街上下兩個出入口，其中山市街的升降機更將成為該區居民往返斜路的一項公共設施。地鐵高級統籌工程師鄧伯洪表示，地鐵計劃選用的升降機，往來二十層樓高距離每程需時十多二十秒。

[hkskyline]

泳池地皮估值22億
21/04/2006
太陽報



【本報訊】正籌備得如火如荼的地鐵西港島線，經重新規劃後，其堅尼地城站的位置將被移至現時的堅尼地城游泳池底，令該地立即成為區內的交通樞紐，更有望可變身為搶手的「豪宅盤」。測量師預計，以目前西區每平方呎地價約三千元計算，單是泳池地皮已值約二十二億元，並直接帶旺附近一帶街道商舖的地產市場。

現時堅尼地城泳池面積約零點七公頃，可建樓面面積約七十五萬方呎，測量師彭兆基表示，目前西區每平方呎地價約值三千元，一般商住用地可按十倍地積比率興建樓宇，據此推算，他預計，泳池上蓋地皮約值二十二億元，如拆卸泳池後興建地鐵站及上蓋物業，能為地鐵帶來可觀的收入。

[CFCheng]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

泳池地皮估值22億
21/04/2006
太陽報



【本報訊】正籌備得如火如荼的地鐵西港島線，經重新規劃後，其堅尼地城站的位置將被移至現時的堅尼地城游泳池底，令該地立即成為區內的交通樞紐，更有望可變身為搶手的「豪宅盤」。測量師預計，以目前西區每平方呎地價約三千元計算，單是泳池地皮已值約二十二億元，並直接帶旺附近一帶街道商舖的地產市場。

現時堅尼地城泳池面積約零點七公頃，可建樓面面積約七十五萬方呎，測量師彭兆基表示，目前西區每平方呎地價約值三千元，一般商住用地可按十倍地積比率興建樓宇，據此推算，他預計，泳池上蓋地皮約值二十二億元，如拆卸泳池後興建地鐵站及上蓋物業，能為地鐵帶來可觀的收入。

I can read Chinese words, but only the basics. Can someone try to translate the essence of this story?

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by CFCheng

I can read Chinese words, but only the basics. Can someone try to translate the essence of this story?

Translation of the Graphic
Alignment - underground from Sheung Wan to Kennedy Town
Length - about 3 km
Stations - 3 underground at Sai Ying Pun, University, and Kennedy Town
Exits - Sai Ying Pun has 4, University has 5, Kennedy Town has 5
Frequency - same as the Island line
Cost - HK$6-7 billion of which less than half will be subdisized by the government

The text discussses the proceeds from redeveloping a swimming pool on top of the planned Kennedy Town station and the value of the land.

[hkskyline]

西港島線無上蓋發展
三站共14出入口 料2012通車
30/08/2006
太陽報



地下鐵路公司終拍板決定西港島線各站出入口位置，明日將建議公開及提交政府審議，整段伸延線將不會有上蓋發展項目。地鐵在諮詢過程接納了中西區區議會的建議，決定由堅尼地城泳池清拆改建的地鐵站，不會有上蓋發展，而地鐵會在工程進行前先興建全新泳池替代，方便居民使用。

消息人士指出，地鐵建議清拆部分政府建築物，較大改變是現時的堅尼地城泳池將要拆卸，改為堅尼地城站，但會在西環公園對出近海旁的西祥街臨時停車場位置，先興建一個泳池，日後泳池會是西區中央公園的一部分。雖然部分居民擔心日後建成地鐵站會加重該區的交通負荷，但地鐵堅稱泳池位置興建地鐵站是最佳選擇，而地鐵站不會有上蓋發展，以免阻礙景觀。

此外，位於西營盤站附近的戴麟趾康復中心亦會因興建地鐵站出入口而拆卸，日後將會原址興建一幢新的康復中心。至於屈地街公廁及正街熟食中心則會拆卸。

地鐵亦會徵用部分土地，包括位於西營盤西湖里遊樂場及鄰近的舊樓位置，改作工程臨時工地及物料存放場，而在堅尼地城的西寧街對開的休憩地方，於工程完成後會成為地鐵站的排氣口。

政府注資不逾半
若一切順利，地鐵西港島線最快在今年底前獲政府批准及刊憲，明年初完成環境評估報告後正式動工，工程費初步估計約六十至七十億元，全長三公里，預計二○一二年通車。政府初步建議注資不逾一半。西港島線是現有港島線的伸延，共有三個站，分別是西營盤站、大學站及堅尼地城站，共有十四個出入口。

雖然西區居民普遍歡迎地鐵增設西港島線，但一批堅尼地城西寧街居民昨日卻向地鐵公司遞交請願信，反對地鐵在西寧街設置施工地盤及興建港島西延線的永久排氣口。居民批評此舉是扼殺居民的休憩空間，並擔心排氣口會污染環境。中西區區議員楊位款批評地鐵並無正視居民訴求。

[hkth]

MTR Press Release:
West Island Line - One Step Closer to Reality

[hkskyline]

MTRC plans switch over line funding
Winnie Chong
Hong Kong Standard
Friday, September 01, 2006

MTR Corp has abandoned plans for a property development atop its future Kennedy Town station but is asking government permission to develop the former police quarters site in Ka Wai Man Road to fund its West Island Line.

The three-kilometer extension of MTRC's Island Line from Sheung Wan will have three new stations - Sai Ying Pun, University and Kennedy Town - with a total of 14 exits.

The new extension will cost about HK$7 billion, to be financed equally by MTRC and the government.

MTRC passed its revised proposal to the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau Thursday, canceling its previous bid to develop property on top of Kennedy Town station. The site is said to be only a single block, which is too small. Central and Western District Council is also opposed to any development of the site.

Instead, MTRC has suggested the area around Kennedy Town station be developed into leisure facilities and a public transportation interchange. At the same time, it wants the government to approve the former police quarters site at Ka Wai Man Road in Kennedy Town for property development.

If the proposal goes ahead, this will be the first time the MTRC has financed operations through property development away from stations.

MTRC senior coordinating engineer Tang Pak-hung said the move was due to public opposition to development at the Kennedy Town site, and because Sai Ying Pun and University stations were not suitable for property development.

"For this project, the police site is suitable," Tang said, adding that the final decision will be made after discussions with the government.

Tang said MTRC will consider other suggestions by the government. "We will keep all options open and are flexible," he said.

MTRC also presented the amended proposal to Central and Western District Council, where it was accepted, council chairman Chan Tak-chor said.

But Charles Chan Chiu-kwok, managing director of Savills Valuation and Professional Services, had doubts about the revised MTRC proposal, saying it was unusual for it to ask for land away from its stations.

"MTRC is an independent listed company. MTRC's request for land will violate the principle of land sales in the city. It will be unfair to other developers. It also raises questions about collusion between government and business," said Chan, who added there was no base to calculate the price of the land.

James Cheung King-tat, senior associate director at Centaline Surveyors, estimated that the price for property development on the top of Kennedy Road station is similar to that of Ka Wai Man Road, at about HK$5,000 per square foot.

MTRC will invite tenders for the project at the end of the year, with construction due to start next year. Train services are scheduled to commence in 2012.

[dhoyax]

good news.......lot of work next year.

[hkth]

RTHK news:
MTRC submits revised plan for West Island Line 2006-09-01 HKT 08:11

The M-T-R-C has submitted a revised plan for the West Island Line, which will link Sheung Wan with Kennedy Town. And it says work on the seven-billion dollar project could begin as early as next year, with completion scheduled for 2012. And the corporation is hoping to use revenue from property development to partially fund the project. Its senior coordination engineer, Tang Pak-hung, said they were hoping to obtain the site of the old police quarters in Kennedy Town for property development.

[Skyscrapercitizen]

This is great news, a step forward to a better environment in Hong Kong with even less car use then present! Let's just hope they will go ahead with the south island line plans too... That should be a big step forward!

[hkskyline]

Hurdles for MTR West Island line
Government wants to cut share of costs; doubts over site
22 September 2006
South China Morning Post

Fresh uncertainties loom over the long-awaited MTR West Island line amid government doubts about the cost and a development site requested by the corporation.

Government officials want its share of the costs to be reduced to less than half of the estimated HK$3.5 billion total, a government source said.

There are also reservations about the MTR Corporation's proposal to develop a site 600 metres from one of the stations because it deviates from the previous business model, under which only sites directly above stations are developed, the source said.

The doubts surfaced three weeks after the MTR Corp settled a row with district interests by agreeing to develop the former police quarters site in Ka Wai Man Road instead of the Kennedy Town swimming pool, which is above its planned Kennedy Town station.

The government has granted development rights to the MTR Corp and the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation above their stations as a form of subsidy.

The government said it would contribute no more than half the cost of the 3km Island line extension, which is expected to total HK$6 billion to HK$7 billion, but the source said the cost was under question.

But a spokeswoman for the MTR Corp said it was necessary that the government contribute at least half of the costs. "We expect our future fare revenue to cover only half of the construction costs, together with maintenance and operating costs. Many believe the railway is now destined to be built, but if we cannot agree on a funding gap with the government, ultimately, the plan may not be able to be completed."

Central and Western District Council chairman Chan Tak-chor said the government should brace for confrontation with the community if the proposal is dropped.

"The community has been fighting for the rail line for nearly a decade, and they have been given high hopes that their dream is soon to be realised. There will be a huge outcry if the plan blows up in the end because of money matters."

The MTR Corp earlier said the project could be finished on time in 2012 if the government approved the final draft by the end of this year.

In the draft submitted to the government on August 31, the MTR Corp gave up its suggestion to use the Kennedy Town swimming pool for property development and asked for the police quarters site instead. But the government source said this could set a bad example.

"[The government] does not just swap any land the developers want in exchange for their services."

Legislative Council transport panel member Lee Wing-tat agreed it would be bad to deviate from the existing policy.

"If you can offer [the MTR Corp] land half or 1km from the station, theoretically would you also offer other developers a site in Central for a project in Kowloon? That would open a floodgate."

Mr Lee said the government could still consider a cash subsidy, an option the source said was not out of the question.

[hkskyline]

West Island Line Renderings & Station Location Maps
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/extensions...edproposal.htm

[hkskyline]

地鐵西港島線設洗手間
12/07/2007
太陽報

【本報訊】地鐵擬改善站內缺乏洗手間的弊病，該公司正研究在地面、高架車站或附近加建公共洗手間的可行性，預計年底完成。不過，地鐵堅稱地底車站加設洗手間存在技術困難，計劃不可行。而地鐵興建的新線，則會在站內及鄰近車站的地方提供洗手間。

地鐵提交予立法會的文件指出，地鐵已在西港島線的設計及規劃，包括研究在站內或鄰近車站的地方提供洗手間設施，同時已展開在現有地面及高架車站內或附近加建洗手間的可行性研究。

[Songoten2554]

when will see construction on these lines?

[EricIsHim]

Originally Posted by Songoten2554

when will see construction on these lines?

West Island Line is approved and is beginning the constructions. It is scheduled to be completed and in operation by 2012.

South Island Line....... the plan and design are here, but just has been discussing the project funding issue around and around between the government and the MTR corp. No real schedule has been out. Once construction is started, it takes about 7-8 years to complete the project. It is expected to be in operation sometime in the 2010s.

[Manila-X]

Finally The Western District will have some MTR lines. At least you don't have to take either the bus, tram or cab to get there

[hkskyline]

港島西地鐵建費政府付半
16/10/2007


【本報訊】行政會議今日討論地鐵西港島線的注資方案，面對地鐵公司不能獨自承擔造價約八十億元的西港島線工程，港府最終願與地鐵公司各負擔一半興建費，注資數十億元補貼地鐵興建西港島線，若方案獲行會通過，西港島線可望在○九年正式動工。

地鐵早前估計西港島線造價約八十億元，但沒有政府財政資助，財務上並不可行。不過由於中西區區議會反對，地鐵須放棄在堅尼地城站發展上蓋物業，並打破慣例，於去年一度建議政府將加惠民道前警察宿舍地皮給予地鐵發展，用作補貼興建西港島線。

預計09年動工
據悉，政府內部經過反覆討論後認為，既然現時庫務水浸，直接以真金白銀的方式注資興建西港島線較把區內地皮交予地鐵發展更為實際。消息人士直言，地價可上可落，貿貿然將區內地皮交予地鐵發展，而非過往慣用鐵路車站上蓋物業作為鐵路注資的方案，是重大的政策改變，且難免受社會爭議，故認為直接注資的方案更為可行。

政府內部估計，若行政會議通過注資方案，當局稍後便可向立法會財務委員會申請撥款。地鐵西港島線全長三公里，共設有三個車站包括西營盤、大學及堅尼地城，一切順利可望在○九年動工，二○一三年啟用，屆時由堅尼地城前往尖沙咀只需十四分鐘。

[hkskyline]

$6b ticket to ride
Hong Kong Standard
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

The Mass Transit Railway's long- awaited West Island Line is to get an unprecedented HK$6 billion injection by the government - or two-thirds of the cost of the project that will link Sheung Wan with Kennedy Town by 2016.

The cash subsidy for the profit- making company to proceed with the HK$8.9 billion line is the first of its kind by the administration which, in the past, has relied on granting property development rights to bridge funding gaps in railway projects.

Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng Yu-wah said yesterday the project will significantly improve congested traffic conditions, revitalize the aging district and generate economic returns.

The 3km West Island Line will benefit an estimated 140,000 residents and 60,000 workers in the district in 2016, saving them 12 million hours on transport - equivalent to saving HK$44 billion in 40 years. A trip from Kennedy Town to Sheung Wan during rush hour will be reduced from 25 minutes at present to less than eight minutes.

The project will also create 2,800 jobs during the construction period from 2009 to 2014, and a further 2,000 jobs upon completion.

Cheng said the subsidy is also justified in that MTR Corp will not be able to generate project funding from fare revenues alone or develop property in the crowded district.

According to a government source, the existing 1.9-hectare Kennedy Town swimming pool - the only potential land for property development in the district - is too small to generat
e revenue to bridge the funding gap.

Other potential sites such as the police dormitory on Ka Wai Man Road are too far from the designated MTR exits.

MTRC acting chief executive Lincoln Leong Kwok-kuen blamed the higher than projected costs on the investment the project involved.

"The high investment cost comes from building more station exits, more elevators for the disabled, a two-kilometer underground walkway, using environmentally friendly construction methods, and relocating two district facilities to other areas," he said.

The subsidy will be given in two stages, with HK$400 million in the first covering design-phase expenditure.

The line, long approved by Central and Western District Council, finally materialized with the Executive Council giving the green light yesterday.

With funding approval from legislators already obtained, construction will begin in 2009 and is due to be completed by 2014.

It will be an extension of the Island Line from Sheung Wan - with three new stations at Sai Ying Pun, University and Kennedy Town.

The line works will also see the David Trench Rehabilitation Centre on Bonham Street relocated to the upper level police station on High Street, and Kennedy Town Swimming Pool moved to Kennedy Town Praya.

Centaline Surveyors managing director Victor Lai Kin-fai said the line will revitalize the old district.

Midland Surveyors director Alvin Lam Tsz-pun said Kennedy Town will attract more developers to redevelop.

[hkskyline]

[EricIsHim]

A little better station access point and subway presentation.
Yellow: Stations
Light Blue: Pedestrian subways
Dark Blue: Pedestrian footbridge
Red: Entrance/Exit Point

This is gonna have some of the longest escalators for sure.