View source for Sha Tin to Central Link

{{short description|Hong Kong railway project}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name       = {{HK-MTR route title
 | engname = Sha Tin to Central Link
 | chiname = 沙田至中環線
 | line = Ma On Shan
 | line2 = East Rail
 | line3 = West Rail
 }}
| image      = Shatin to Central Link proposal final.svg
| image_width= 300px
| image_alt  =
| caption    =
| type       = [[Heavy rail]]
| system     = [[MTR]]
| locale     = [[Districts of Hong Kong|Districts]]: [[Kowloon City District|Kowloon City]], [[Yau Tsim Mong District|Yau Tsim Mong]], [[Wan Chai District|Wan Chai]], [[Central and Western District|Central and Western]]
| start      = [[Kai Tak station|Kai Tak]] (through service to [[Tuen Ma line|Tuen Ma line Phase 1]])
| end        = [[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]] (through service to [[West Rail line]])<br />[[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty]] (Interchange of [[Island line (MTR)|Island line]], [[Tsuen Wan line]] and [[South Island line]])
| stations   = 8 (phase 1)<br />2 (phase 2)
| open       = '''Tuen Ma line:'''<br />{{start date and age|2020|02|14|df=yes}}<br />(Tai Wai-Kai Tak)<br />{{start date and age|2021|06|27|df=yes}}<br />(Kai Tak-Hung Hom)<br />'''East Rail line:'''<br />{{start date and age|2022|05|15}}<br />(Hung Hom-Admiralty)
| close      =
| owner      = [[KCR Corporation]]
| operator   = [[MTR Corporation]]
| character  =
| depot      = Tai Wai, Hung Hom, Pat Heung
| stock      = [[SP1900 EMU]], [[MTR Hyundai Rotem EMU|Hyundai Rotem EMU]], [[MTR CRRC Changchun EMU|CRRC Changchun EMU]]
| linelength = {{convert|17|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| gauge      = {{RailGauge|1435mm}}
| electrification         = {{25 kV 50 Hz}}
| map        = {{Sha Tin to Central Link RDT}}
| map_state  = collapsed
}}
{{Chinese
|t=沙田至中環線
|s=沙田至中环线
|j=saa1 tin4 zi3 zung1 waan4 sin3
|p=Shātián zhì Zhōnghuán Xiàn 
|altname=SCL
|t2=沙中線
|s2=沙中线
|j2=saa1 zung1 sin3
|y2=sā jūng sin
|p2=Shā Zhōng Xiàn 
}}
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="font-size: 90%;width:480px"
|+ Timeline of the Sha Tin to Central Link
|-
! Date !! Event
|-
| 1960s || Predecessor East Kowloon line was proposed by British consultant Freeman, Fox, Wilbur Smith & Associates
|-
| 2000 || '''Sha Tin to Central Link''' first appeared in the government document Railway Development Strategy 2000
|-
| 2002 || KCRC won its bid to build SCL, building an independent line from Tai Wai to Central West
|-
| 2005 || KCRC modified its 2002 plan, making East Kowloon portion of the line join Ma On Shan Rail at Tai Wai and West Rail at Hung Hom. The East Rail would extend to Central West<br /> MTRC submitted a new proposal: extending Kwun Tong Line to Whampoa, and building a new independent line from Tai Wai to Central West (similar to KCRC 2002 plan)
|-
| 2006 || MTR–KCR merger was confirmed. Non-binding memorandum of understanding signed by government and MTRC. Yet, SCL would be built in accordance to KCRC 2005 plan, while Kwun Tong line extension would also be constructed 
|-
| 2007 || MTR–KCR merger
|-
| 2008 || MTRC announced a revised proposal, fully funded by government
|-
| 2012 || Executive Council approved and construction began
|-
| 2015 || First rolling stock for East West line arrived in Hong Kong
|-
| 2016 || [[Kwun Tong line extension]] commence<br /> 11-kilometre tunnel of East West line was fully broken through  
|-
|2018
|Whistleblowing on poor construction quality at the Hung Hom station
A Commission of Inquiry is appointed by Chief Executive of HKSAR government
|-
|2019
|Commencement of whole SCL postponed
SCL (Phase 1) split into [[Tuen Ma line]] First Phase and Second Phase due to construction quality of Hung Hom station. The name "Ma On Shan line" is made obsolete as it began operating as "Tuen Ma line phase 1".
|-
|2021
|Tuen Ma line begins full operation. The name "West Rail line" is made obsolete as it was fully absorbed by Tuen Ma line.
|-
|2022
|The East Rail Line extension begins full operations, and all Metro Cammell EMUs of it has retired.
|}

The '''Sha Tin to Central Link''' (abbreviated '''SCL'''; {{zh|t=沙中線|cy=sā jūng sin}}) is an extension of the [[MTR]] [[rapid transit]] network that has recently completed its testings and construction in [[Hong Kong]]. It is divided into two sections.

The first section, named “Tuen Ma line (Phase 1)”, runs from [[Tai Wai station]] in the [[New Territories]] to [[Hung Hom station]] in [[Kowloon]]. The Tai Wai–Hung Hom segment connected the [[Ma On Shan line]] and [[West Rail line]], forming the new [[Tuen Ma line]]. Operation of the [[Tai Wai]] to [[Kai Tak]] section began on 14 February 2020.<ref name="opening">{{cite web |title=Partial opening of scandal-hit Sha Tin-Central MTR link set for Valentine's Day, Hong Kong transport minister reveals |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3046511/partial-opening-scandal-hit-sha-tin-central-mtr-link-set |publisher=South China Morning Post |date=17 January 2020}}</ref> The opening of the section from Kai Tak to Hung Hom was delayed and opened on 27 June 2021.<ref name="2021q3">{{cite web |title=LCQ1: Construction Works at and near Hung Hom Station Extension under Shatin to Central Link Project |url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202006/03/P2020060300359.htm |publisher=Legislative Council |date=3 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="progressupdatelegco">{{cite web |title=Progress Update on the Construction of the Shatin to Central Link |url=https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr19-20/chinese/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp20200605cb4-730-2-ec.pdf |publisher=MTR Corporation |date=5 June 2020}}</ref>

In anticipation of the Tuen Ma line, the existing [[Kwun Tong line]] was extended from its previous terminus at [[Yau Ma Tei station|Yau Ma Tei]] to [[Whampoa station]]. This extension includes the new [[Ho Man Tin station]] to provide interchange with the Tuen Ma line. The [[Kwun Tong line extension]] was opened on 23 October 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-14-051-E.pdf | title=MTR Updates Construction Progress on SIL(E) and KTE Railway Projects |publisher=[[MTR Corporation]] |date=2014-06-12 }}</ref>

The second section (Phase 2) extended the [[East Rail line]] from [[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]] in [[Kowloon]] to [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty]] on [[Hong Kong Island]] and opened on 15 May 2022.<ref name="background">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/en/project-details/programme.html|title=MTR – Shatin to Central Link - Project Details - Programme|publisher=MTR Corporation|access-date=2016-04-27}}</ref>

== History ==
{{More citations needed|section|date=June 2016}}

The proposed route of the Sha Tin to Central Link roughly follows the scheme of the original [[East Kowloon line (1970 scheme)|East Kowloon line]], which was proposed in the late 1960s but was not constructed.{{Citation needed|date=September 2016}} The Shatin to Central Link was included as one of the Priority Railway Schemes in the [[Government of Hong Kong|Hong Kong government]]'s Railway Development Strategy 2000.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hyd.gov.hk/en/publications_and_publicity/publications/review_and_update_railway_development_strategy_2000_es/doc/es_e.pdf|title=Review and Update of the Railway Development Strategy 2000 – Executive Summary|date=September 2014|publisher=[[Highways Department]] of the [[Government of Hong Kong]]|access-date=1 July 2016}}</ref>{{Rp|35}}

On 25 June 2002, the government announced that the [[Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation]] (KCRC) had won its bid against the [[MTR Corporation]] (MTRC) to build and operate the Shatin to Central Link. The route was originally planned to go from [[Tai Wai station]] to [[Central South station|Central West station]] (proposed to be located under the [[Mid-Levels]]), as an extension of the then-under-construction KCR Ma On Shan Rail (now the [[Ma On Shan line]]).

The KCRC announced modifications to the proposal in 2005, with the East Kowloon portion of the line joining KCR Ma On Shan Rail at Tai Wai and KCR West Rail (now the [[West Rail line]]) at [[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]], with the cross-harbour portion joining KCR East Rail (now the [[East Rail line]]) at Hung Hom. Mong Kok Station (now [[Mong Kok East station|Mong Kok East]]) would have been relocated, joining a new tunnel to a deeper Hung Hom station platform connecting to the cross-harbour section. Additionally, stations at [[Tsz Wan Shan]] and [[Whampoa Garden]] were removed from the proposal; the areas would instead have been served by [[people mover]]s ({{abbr|APMs|Automatic People Movers}}) from other stations. However, the KCRC's proposal had not yet been finalised.

At the same time, the MTRC submitted a new proposal to the government. According to the proposal, the [[Kwun Tong line]] would be extended from [[Yau Ma Tei station]] to [[Whampoa station]] (as the KCRC had decided to omit Whampoa Garden station from its proposal), and the route of the SCL would follow the KCRC's original proposal instead of the 2005 modified proposal. An underground train depot would have been built beneath the passenger terminal of the former [[Kai Tak International Airport]], adjacent to [[Prince Edward Road East]] in [[Kowloon City]]; however, under the Kai Tak redevelopment plan released by the government in October 2006, the depot would have to be constructed somewhere else.<ref>"Diamond Hill eyed for train depot", [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/ ''The Standard''], 13 November 2006.</ref>

===MTR–KCR merger plan===
On 11 April 2006, MTRC signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the government of Hong Kong, the owner of KCRC, to [[MTR–KCR merger|merge the operations]] of the territory's two railway networks. According to the memorandum, the MTRC-owned MTR lines will be fully integrated with the Shatin to Central Link, which will be part of the MTR system. The government also intended to choose the KCRC's modified proposal to build the railway, that is, extending the current [[East Rail line]] to [[Hong Kong Island]]. However, final decisions were not made before conducting further studies on the proposal with the MTRC.

The new proposal was announced jointly by both companies on 12 July 2007,<ref>http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr06-07/chinese/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp0716cb1-2058-1-c.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> before the merger of the two rail networks on 2 December that year. Under this proposal, the depot for the Sha Tin to Central Link would have been built underneath the former [[Tai Hom Village]] site between Kai Tak and Diamond Hill stations. The people movers were omitted; Causeway Bay North station was also removed from the proposal due to potential adverse effects on road traffic during construction.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 5px auto;"
|+ &nbsp;Stations of previous proposals&nbsp;
|-
! colspan=2| KCRC proposal (2002)
!KCRC revised proposal (2005)
!MTRC proposal (2005)
!KCRC–MTRC proposal (2007)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| colspan=2|
* ''(to [[Ma On Shan line|Ma On Shan Rail]])''
* [[Tai Wai station|Tai Wai]] <small>{{rcb|KCR|East Rail|link}}</small>
* [[Tsz Wan Shan]]
* [[Diamond Hill station|Diamond Hill]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|Kwun Tong|link}}</small>
* [[Kai Tak station|Kai Tak]]
* [[Sung Wong Toi station|To Kwa Wan]]
* [[To Kwa Wan station|Ma Tau Wai]]
* [[Ho Man Tin station|Ho Man Tin]]
* [[Whampoa station|Whampoa Garden]]
* [[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]] <small>{{rcb|KCR|East Rail|link}} {{rcb|KCR|West Rail|link}}</small>
* [[Exhibition Centre station (MTR)|Exhibition]]
* [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|Tsuen Wan|link}} {{rcb|MTR|Island|link}}</small>
* [[Central South station|Central West]]
|
'''Ma On Shan Rail East Kowloon Extension'''
* ''(to [[Ma On Shan line|Ma On Shan Rail]])''
* [[Tai Wai station|Tai Wai]] <small>{{rcb|KCR|East Rail|link}}</small>
* [[Diamond Hill station|Diamond Hill]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|Kwun Tong|link}} ({{abbr|APM|Automatic People Mover}} to [[Tsz Wan Shan]])</small>
* [[Kai Tak station|Kai Tak]]
* [[Sung Wong Toi station|To Kwa Wan]] / [[To Kwa Wan station|Ma Tau Wai]]
* [[Ho Man Tin station|Ho Man Tin]]
* [[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]] <small>{{rcb|KCR|East Rail|link}} ({{abbr|APM|Automatic People Mover}} to [[Whampoa Garden]])</small>
* ''(to [[West Rail line|West Rail]])''

'''East Rail Cross-harbour Extension'''
* ''(to [[East Rail line|East Rail]])''
* [[Mong Kok East station|Mong Kok]] (relocated)
* [[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]] (relocated) <small>{{rcb|KCR|Ma On Shan Rail|link}} ({{abbr|APM|Automatic People Mover}} to [[Whampoa Garden]])</small>
* [[Causeway Bay North station|Causeway Bay North]]
* [[Exhibition Centre station (MTR)|Exhibition]]
* [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|Tsuen Wan|link}} {{rcb|MTR|Island|link}}</small>
* [[Central South station|Central West]]
|
'''Shatin to Central Link'''
* [[Tai Wai station|Tai Wai]] <small>{{rcb|KCR|East Rail|link}} {{rcb|KCR|Ma On Shan Rail|link}}</small>
* [[Tsz Wan Shan]]
* [[Diamond Hill station|Diamond Hill]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|Kwun Tong|link}}</small>
* [[Kai Tak station|Kai Tak]]
* [[Sung Wong Toi station|To Kwa Wan]]
* [[To Kwa Wan station|Ma Tau Wai]]
* [[Ho Man Tin station|Ho Man Tin]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|Kwun Tong|link}}</small>
* [[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]] <small>{{rcb|KCR|East Rail|link}} {{rcb|KCR|West Rail|link}}</small>
* [[Exhibition Centre station (MTR)|Exhibition]]
* [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|Tsuen Wan|link}} {{rcb|MTR|Island|link}}</small>
* [[Central station (MTR)|Central West]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|Tsuen Wan|link}} {{rcb|MTR|Island|link}} {{rcb|MTR|Tung Chung|link}} {{rcb|MTR|Airport Express|link}}</small>

'''[[Kwun Tong line extension]]'''
* ''(to [[Kwun Tong line]])''
* [[Yau Ma Tei station|Yau Ma Tei]]
* [[Ho Man Tin station|Ho Man Tin]] <small><span title="Shatin to Central Link">{{color box|black}}</span></small>
* [[Whampoa station|Whampoa]]
|
'''[[East West Corridor|East–West line]]'''
* ''(to [[Ma On Shan line]])''
* [[Tai Wai station|Tai Wai]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|East Rail|link}}</small>
* [[Diamond Hill station|Diamond Hill]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|Kwun Tong|link}}</small>
* [[Kai Tak station|Kai Tak]]
* [[Sung Wong Toi station|To Kwa Wan]]
* [[To Kwa Wan station|Ma Tau Wai]]
* [[Ho Man Tin station|Ho Man Tin]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|Kwun Tong|link}}</small>
* [[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|North South|link}}</small>
* ''(to [[West Rail line]])''

'''North–South line'''
* ''(to [[East Rail line]])''
* [[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]] (relocated) <small>{{rcb|MTR|East West|link}}</small>
* [[Exhibition Centre station (MTR)|Exhibition]]
* [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|Tsuen Wan|link}} {{rcb|MTR|Island|link}}</small>
* [[Central South station|Central South]]

'''[[Kwun Tong line extension]]'''
* ''(to [[Kwun Tong line]])''
* [[Yau Ma Tei station|Yau Ma Tei]]
* [[Ho Man Tin station|Ho Man Tin]] <small>{{rcb|MTR|East West|link}}</small>
* [[Whampoa station|Whampoa]]
|-
| style="width:0;vertical-align:top;padding-right:1em;border-right:none;"|
;Legend
| colspan="4" style="vertical-align:top;border-left:none;font-size:small;"|
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}{{plainlist|1=
* {{rcb|KCR|East Rail|box}} [[East Rail line|KCR East Rail]]
* {{rcb|KCR|West Rail|box}} [[West Rail line|KCR West Rail]]
* {{rcb|KCR|Ma On Shan Rail|box}} [[Ma On Shan line|KCR Ma On Shan Rail]]
* <span title="Shatin to Central Link">{{color box|black}}</span> MTR Shatin to Central Link
* {{rcb|MTR|East Rail|box}} [[East Rail line|MTR North-south line]]
* {{rcb|MTR|Tuen Ma|box}} [[Tuen Ma line|MTR East-west line]]
* {{rcb|MTR|Kwun Tong|box}} [[Kwun Tong line|MTR Kwun Tong line]]
* {{rcb|MTR|Tsuen Wan|box}} [[Tsuen Wan line|MTR Tsuen Wan line]]
* {{rcb|MTR|Island|box}} [[Island line (MTR)|MTR Island line]]
* {{rcb|MTR|Tung Chung|box}} [[Tung Chung line|MTR Tung Chung line]]
* {{rcb|MTR|Airport Express|box}} [[Airport Express (MTR)|MTR Airport Express]]
}}{{div col end}}
|}

The MTRC announced a revised proposal on 11 March 2008. The government would fund all of the required {{HK$|37.4 billion}} for construction.<ref>{{cite news|title=政府全資374億建沙中線(A4)|publisher=Ming Pao|date=12 March 2008}}</ref> The [[Executive Council of Hong Kong|Executive Council]] approved the construction cost of HK$79.8 billion in March 2012<ref name=st>{{cite web|url=http://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E8%A1%8C%E6%9C%83%E6%8B%8D%E6%9D%BF%E6%B8%AF%E9%90%B5%E6%B2%99%E4%B8%AD%E7%B6%AB%E4%B8%8A%E9%A6%AC-220934578.html|title=行會拍板港鐵沙中綫上馬 (lit. Executive Council has approved Sha Tin to Central Link.)|publisher=Sing Tao Daily|date=28 March 2012|access-date=2012-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gazettal of Shatin to Central Link|url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201011/26/P201011260298.htm|website=Press releases|publisher=Hong Kong Government|access-date=19 November 2014|date=26 November 2010}}</ref> and construction began on 22 June 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://info.gov.hk/gia/general/201206/22/P201206220603.htm|script-title=zh:政務司司長出席沙中線動工典禮致辭全文|publisher=Hong Kong Government News Archives|language=zh|date=22 June 2012|access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> Under the final proposal, the former Hung Hom Freight Yard adjacent to Hung Hom station will be converted into stabling sidings for Sha Tin to Central Link trains, and new access tracks will be constructed to link the Sha Tin to Central Link with the former Hung Hom Freight Yard.<ref name="MTR-SCL-faq">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/en/faq/|title=MTR - Shatin to Central Link - FAQ|publisher=[[MTR Corporation]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226024251/http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/en/faq/|archive-date=26 December 2015|access-date=18 June 2014}}</ref> Central South station was excluded in the modified plan, as no suitable sites had been found.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|39}}<ref>{{cite news|title=政府全資374億建沙中線(A4)|publisher=Ming Pao|date=2008-03-12}}</ref> One station at [[Hin Keng station|Hin Keng]] (just south of Tai Wai) was added to the proposal afterwards,<ref name="MTR-SCL-alignment">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/en/project-details/alignment.html|title=MTR - Shatin to Central Link - Project Details - Alignment|website=www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk|publisher=[[MTR Corporation]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320231945/http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/en/project-details/alignment.html|archive-date=20 March 2016|access-date=19 June 2016}}</ref> to alleviate congestion at Tai Wai station.<ref name="MTR-SCL-faq" />

===Expected commencement===
[[File:Shatin to Central Link Causeway Bay section under construction in July 2015.jpg|thumb|200x200px|right|While heavy road traffic on the surface, train tunnel is building underneath at Causeway Bay section]]
The original commencement date of Phase 1 was 2018; Phase 2 was expected to be completed in 2020 or 2021. Some of the construction work of Phase 2 will follow the completion of [[Central and Wan Chai Reclamation|Wan Chai Reclamation]] Phase 2 and [[Central–Wan Chai Bypass]], as there are overlaps between station and tunnels.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr15-16/chinese/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp20160627cb4-1136-3-c.pdf|title=沙田至中環線工程的最新進展|publisher=Legislative Council|date=31 March 2016}}</ref> In November 2014, [[Secretary for Transport and Housing]] [[Anthony Cheung]] revealed that the project would be delayed by at least another 11 months, caused by archaeological Work at To Kwa Wan station (now renamed as [[Sung Wong Toi station]]), and extra enabling works at Exhibition Centre station for topside development. At that time, the authority submitted a document to the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]], stating Phases 1 and 2 would be completed in 2019 and 2021 respectively.<ref name="rthk20150304">{{cite news | title=港鐵沙中綫通車日期需延遲約一年 |url=http://rthk.hk/rthk/news/expressnews/20150304/news_20150304_55_1081624.htm |publisher=[[香港電台]] |date=2015-03-04 }}{{in lang|zh-hant}}</ref>

However, the opening was delayed again due to construction quality problems at Hung Hom station. In January 2020, Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan announced the "[[Tuen Ma line]] first Phase" would be open on 14 February 2020, the rest of the [[Tuen Ma line]] would open in 27 June 2021, and the MTR expects the opening of the [[East Rail line]] extensions by June or July 2022, but is subject to change.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2019/07/20190718/20190718_175608_397.html|title=New rail line to open|date=18 July 2019|work=news.gov.hk}}</ref>

In April 2022, MTR officially announced that the East Rail Line extension would open on the 15th of May, 2022.

===Hung Hom station scandal===
In 2018, a whistleblower leaked information to the Hong Kong media stating that the construction quality at the Hung Hom station was substandard. Namely, the threaded steel bars that were supposed to link to each other were cut so that they would fit into couplers without actually connecting to the full extent.<ref>http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/pdf/multimedia-gallery/report/report_20181205_e.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>

This raised concerns that the platform is not as strong as it was designed to be. Although initially denying the allegations, the MTR and the contractor [[Leighton Asia]]<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/12/25/mtr-admits-construction-deviations-hung-hom-station-expansion-insists-no-proof-steel-bar-cutting/ |title = MTR admits construction 'deviations' at Hung Hom station expansion, but insists no proof of steel bar cutting|date = 25 December 2018}}</ref> later confirmed them, and proposed a plan to open up the concrete at some areas of the stations to inspect the construction quality.

The investigation also revealed further incidents of substandard work and missing construction records. For example, 40% of Request for Inspection and Survey Checks forms for the northern approach tunnels are missing.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/01/31/govt-inspect-shatin-central-link-mtr-construction-sites-amid-string-engineering-scandals/ |title = Gov't to inspect other Shatin to Central Link MTR construction sites amid string of engineering scandals|date = 31 January 2019}}</ref>

== Construction and facility enhancement ==
=== New railway lines and track ===
The 11-kilometre tunnel of the East-West Corridor was fully broken through in August 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/pdf/multimedia-gallery/press/09092016_pr_e.pdf|title=11-km East-West Corridor tunnel of the Shatin to Central Link broken through|date=8 September 2016|work=MTR Corporation|access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref>

As of February 2017, construction and tunnel boring is underway for the sections between the Exhibition Centre station and Causeway Bay, and between Causeway Bay and Kowloon. MTRC has set up an Immersed Tube Tunnel Casting Yard at the site of the former [[Shek O Quarry]] at the south side of the Hong Kong Island to pre-assemble sections of the tunnel tubes, which will be then transported by sea and immersed in place.<ref>http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/pdf/multimedia-gallery/publication/newsletter/hki_newsletter_29092015_e.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/en/construction/temp-work.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=3 March 2017 |archive-date=17 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217203438/http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/en/construction/temp-work.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> As June 2017, the first Immersed Tube Tunnel units was installed in Victoria Harbour, marking the beginning of constructing the fourth harbour-crossing railway tunnel in Hong Kong. 11 tube tunnel units in total will be constructed and placed for the harbour crossing section.<ref>[http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/pdf/multimedia-gallery/press/20062017_pr_e.pdf First Tunnel Unit for Shatin to Central Link Cross-Harbour Tunnel Successfully Installed in Victoria Harbour], MTR,20 June 2017.</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/mtrhk/videos/10159017264700151/ Immersing Diary#3 – Under the sea], MTR,20 June 2017</ref>

=== New signalling systems and station facilities ===
[[File:City One Station platform northeast extension.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Expansion of [[City One station|City One]] platform with new platform gates, allowing 8-coach trains to park|left]] 
Both of the new corridors will receive new signalling systems as part of the Sha Tin to Central Link project. The technology, known as [[communications-based train control]] (CBTC), will minimise train intervals while complying with existing and future infrastructure, such as [[Platform screen doors|platform doors/gates]].
[[File:SP1950MOS.jpg|thumb|200x200px|All existing SP1900 EMU trains were transferred to and now operated on the East West Corridor]]
The East West Corridor will use [[SelTrac]] CBTC supplied by [[Thales Group|Thales]]. This is an updated, more modern version of the Seltrac IS technology already installed on the West Rail line, Ma On Shan line, and [[Kowloon Southern Link]]. New on-board computers are being retrofitted to the existing [[SP1900 EMU|SP1900]] trains as part of their modifications to form 8-car trains, supplemented with newly acquired 8-car trains delivered with the new computer already installed. All stations on the Ma On Shan line have also received half-height platform gates in conjunction with the upgrade, and new underground stations will have full-height platform doors installed.

The North South Corridor will have the [[Transmission balise-locomotive|TBL]] train protection and Alstom's [[Automatic train operation|ATO]] system in use on the current East Rail line including the [[Lok Ma Chau Spur Line]] replaced with [[Trainguard MT CBTC]] supplied by [[Siemens Mobility|Siemens]].<ref>{{cite web|title=SCL Major Contracts Awarded|url=http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/en/construction/major-contracts-awarded.html|publisher=MTR|access-date=29 October 2017}}</ref> ([[Automatic Warning System|AWS]] used by intercity trains on the East Rail line is not expected to be affected.) At the same time, all platforms would be modified and equipped with half-height platform gates (full-height doors on the new underground stations) to provide [[level boarding]] and minimize [[Mind the gap|the gap]] with the train. Refurbishment and expansion work on platforms and stations will also be carried out.<ref>{{cite web|author1=MTR Service Update|title=「 沙田至中環綫 」第一期|url=http://www.vjmedia.com.hk/articles/2015/02/22/100383/sclphase1/|publisher=VJMEDIA|access-date=29 October 2017|language=zh|date=22 Feb 2015}}</ref>

Admiralty, Diamond Hill and Hung Hom stations, all of which are major interchanges following full opening of the new lines, have been expanded or relocated to cater to increased demand.

=== New rolling stock ===
[[File:D024-D022 MTR East Rail Line 06-02-2021.jpg|thumb|200x200px|The R-train will operate on the North South Corridor]]
[[File:Tuen Ma Line C-Train 202103.jpg|thumb|200x200px|The TML C-train will operate on the East West Corridor]]
{{See also|MTR CRRC Changchun EMU|MTR Hyundai Rotem EMU|SP1900 EMU}}
The East West Corridor will operate using a combination of both new and existing rolling stock, while the North South Corridor will have its existing rolling stock fully replaced with new stock.
* Contract 1141A for 17 8-car [[MTR CRRC Changchun EMU|C-Trains]] for the East West Corridor was awarded to [[CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles]] in December 2013. Designed in 14 months, the first train, officially named East West Line Train, arrived in Hong Kong in June 2016 and began passenger service on the Ma On Shan Line on 12 March 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/shatin-to-central-link-scl/|title=Shatin to Central Link (SCL)|website=Railway Technology|access-date=2016-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/en/construction/new-trains.html|title=MTR - Shatin to Central Link - Construction - New Trains|date=2016-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320171021/http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/en/construction/new-trains.html|archive-date=20 March 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=2016-06-26|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* Contract 1141B for 37 9-car [[MTR Hyundai Rotem EMU|R-trains]] for the North South Corridor was awarded to [[Hyundai Rotem]] of South Korea in December 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/asia/mtr-orders-trains-and-signalling-for-shatin-%E2%80%93-central-link.html?channel=000|title=MTR orders trains and signalling for Shatin – Central Link|last1=Barrow|first1=Keith|date=19 December 2012|work=International Railway Journal|access-date=28 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="mtr-media2">{{cite news|url=http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/pdf/en/multimedia-gallery/press/14122012_pr_e.pdf|title=New Trains and Signalling System for the future Shatin to Central Link|date=14 December 2012|work=MTR (Press Release)|access-date=28 July 2015}}</ref> The first delivery took place in 2015<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pioneer-group.hk/news-1-c8mf/ilirby1i19/2nd-MTR-shipment-successful-delivery|title=2nd MTR shipment successful delivery|date=19 December 2015|publisher=Pioneer Logistics Group|access-date=4 October 2016|archive-date=5 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005105651/http://www.pioneer-group.hk/news-1-c8mf/ilirby1i19/2nd-MTR-shipment-successful-delivery|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hyd.gov.hk/en/publications_and_publicity/publications/review_and_update_railway_development_strategy_2000_es/doc/es_e.pdf|title=Review and Update of the Railway Development Strategy 2000 – Executive Summary|date=September 2014|publisher=[[Highways Department]] of the [[Government of Hong Kong]]|access-date=1 July 2016}}</ref> with all new trainsets in service by 2020,<ref name="mtr-media2" /> fully replacing the [[MTR Metro Cammell EMU (AC)|12-car Metro Cammell EMUs]] which will then be retired.
* Contract 1151 for 36 additional [[SP1900 EMU|SP1900]] cars was awarded to [[Kinki Sharyo]] of Japan in January 2014. They are being used to convert all SP1900 trains into 8-car formations to serve the East West Corridor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/mtrupdate/posts/1043905192287091|title=SP1900|publisher=MTR Service Update|access-date=10 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/en/construction/new-trains.html|title=New trains for SCL|publisher=MTR|access-date=10 November 2017|archive-date=20 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320171021/http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/en/construction/new-trains.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Previously, they have operated in 4, 7, and 12-car formations on the existing lines.

=== New community facilities ===
[[Tsz Wan Shan|Tsz Wan Shan station]] was removed from the 2007 final proposal due to its depth. Because of this, pedestrian facilities with lifts, travellers and covered walkways will be built for the Tsz Wan Shan community, connecting with [[Diamond Hill station]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Shatin to Central Link - Improvement Works on Pedestrian Link Facilities in Tsz Wan Shan|url=http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/pdf/multimedia-gallery/publication/leaflet/wts_tws_leaflet102013.pdf|publisher=MTR|access-date=30 October 2017|date=Oct 2013}}</ref>

On Hong Kong Island, [[Public swimming pools in Hong Kong|Wan Chai Swimming Pool]] and Harbour Road Sports Centre were both re-provisioned on alternate sites, as the original buildings were demolished to make way for Exhibition Centre station.<ref>{{cite web|title=Progress Update|url=http://www.mtr-shatincentrallink.hk/en/construction/progress-update.html#tabs-2|publisher=MTR|access-date=30 October 2017}}</ref>

[[Hongkong Post]]'s International Mail Centre in Hung Hom was also demolished to make way for the line. It was rebuilt in Kowloon Bay and renamed the Central Mail Centre.

== Route ==
{{see also|Lion Rock Tunnel (East West Line){{!}}Lion Rock Tunnel}}
[[File:SCL ga map.png|thumb|upright=1.2|The route of the Sha Tin to Central Link, per the 2008 revised proposal]]
From the preexisting [[Ma On Shan line]] at [[Tai Wai station]], the [[Tuen Ma line]] will continue southwards on an embankment to [[Hin Keng station]], and then head southeast in tunnel towards Kowloon. After [[Diamond Hill station]], the line will turn southwest and continue in tunnel through [[Ma Tau Chung]] and [[To Kwa Wan]] towards [[Hung Hom station]], interchanging with the [[Kwun Tong line extension]] at [[Ho Man Tin station|Ho Man Tin]] along the way. At Hung Hom, the East West Corridor will connect to the preexisting [[West Rail line]] just south of its new platforms at the station and interchange with the [[East Rail line]].<ref name="MTR-SCL-alignment" />

The East Rail line extension will connect to the [[East Rail line]] north of Hung Hom station, adjacent to the southern portal of the tunnel under [[Princess Margaret Road]] (Tunnel 1A); and will enter a tunnel to new platforms at Hung Hom station, interchanging with the Tuen Ma line. The line will then traverse under [[Victoria Harbour]], through an immersed tube tunnel (Contract 1121), largely parallel to the [[Cross-Harbour Tunnel]] to its west, and then continue in tunnel westwards from the [[Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter|New Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter]] to [[Exhibition Centre station (MTR)|Exhibition Centre]] and [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty]] stations.<ref name="MTR-SCL-alignment" />

The Kwun Tong line extension, an associated project completed in late 2016, is a southeast extension of the [[Kwun Tong line]] from [[Yau Ma Tei station]] to Ho Man Tin station, where there will be an interchange to the Tuen Ma line. The line then continues under Wuhu Street and Tak On Street to a single dead-end platform at [[Whampoa station]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtr-kwuntonglineextension.hk/en/project/information.html|title=MTR - Kwun Tong Line Extension > Project Details > Key Information|website=www.mtr-kwuntonglineextension.hk|publisher=[[MTR Corporation]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619093513/http://www.mtr-kwuntonglineextension.hk/en/project/information.html|archive-date=19 June 2016|access-date=19 June 2016}}</ref>

== Stations ==
{|class="wikitable" style="width: 75%; margin: 0.5em auto; text-align: center;"
! colspan=2| [[Livery]] and name
! [[Districts of Hong Kong|District]]
! Connections
! Opening date
|-
! colspan=5 style="border-top:solid 5px #{{rcr|MTR|East West}}; border-bottom:solid 5px #{{rcr|MTR|East West}};"| Tuen Ma line
|-
| colspan=5 style="font-size:small;"|''↑ [[Tuen Ma line|Tuen Ma line Phase 1]] to [[Wu Kai Sha station|Wu Kai Sha]]''
|-
| style="background: #FF8133;"|
| '''[[Kai Tak station|Kai Tak]]'''
| rowspan=4 | [[Kowloon City District|Kowloon City]]
| rowspan=3 |
| 14 February 2020
|-
| style="background: #d08a00;"|
| '''[[Sung Wong Toi station|Sung Wong Toi]]'''
| rowspan="2" | 27 June 2021
|-
| style="background: #AECFF0;"|
| '''[[To Kwa Wan station|To Kwa Wan]]'''
|-
| style="background: #98FB98;"|
| '''[[Ho Man Tin station|Ho Man Tin]]'''
| {{rcb|MTR|Kwun Tong|yes}}
| 23 October 2016
|-
| style="background: #FF0077;"|
| '''[[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]]'''
| [[Yau Tsim Mong District|Yau Tsim Mong]]
| {{rcb|MTR|North South|yes}}<br />[[Rail transport in Hong Kong#Cross-border services|Through Train services]] to [[Mainland China]]
| 30 November 1975{{efn|Originally opened as part of the [[East Rail line]] (then the [[Kowloon–Canton Railway|KCR]] British Section).}}<small><br />''relocated on 20 June 2021''</small>
|-
| colspan=5 style="font-size:small;"|''↓ [[Tuen Ma line]] to [[Tuen Mun station|Tuen Mun]]''
|-
| colspan=5 style="border:none; background:#AAA; height:0.5em;"|
|-
! colspan=5 style="border-top:solid 5px #{{rcr|MTR|North South}}; border-bottom:solid 5px #{{rcr|MTR|North South}};"| East Rail line extension
|-
| colspan=5 style="font-size:small;"|''↑ [[East Rail line]] to [[Lo Wu station|Lo Wu]] or [[Lok Ma Chau station|Lok Ma Chau]]''
|-
| style="background: #FF0077;"|
| '''[[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]]'''
| [[Yau Tsim Mong District|Yau Tsim Mong]]
| {{rcb|MTR|East West|yes}}<br />[[Rail transport in Hong Kong#Cross-border services|Through Train services]] to [[Mainland China]]
| 30 November 1975<small><br />''expected to be relocated on 15 May 2022''</small>
|-
| style="background: #CDC9A5;"|
| ''[[Exhibition Centre station (MTR)|Exhibition Centre]]''
| [[Wan Chai District|Wan Chai]]
| ''{{rcb|MTR|Tseung Kwan O|yes}} <small>([[North Island line]]; under planning)</small>''
| 15 May 2022
|-
| style="background: #0060C0;"|
| '''[[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty]]'''
| [[Central and Western District|Central and Western]]
| {{rcb|MTR|Island|yes}}, {{rcb|MTR|Tsuen Wan|yes}} and<br />{{rcb|MTR|South Island East|yes}}
| 12 February 1980
|-
| colspan=5 style="border:none; background:#AAA; height:0.5em;"|
|-
! colspan=5 style="border-top:solid 5px #{{rcr|MTR|Kwun Tong}}; border-bottom:solid 5px #{{rcr|MTR|Kwun Tong}};"| Kwun Tong line extension
|-
| colspan=5 style="font-size:small;"|''↑ [[Kwun Tong line]] to [[Tiu Keng Leng station|Tiu Keng Leng]]''
|-
| style="background: #CCCCCC;"|
| '''[[Yau Ma Tei station|Yau Ma Tei]]'''
| [[Yau Tsim Mong District|Yau Tsim Mong]]
| {{rcb|MTR|Tsuen Wan|yes}}
| 31 December 1979
|-
| style="background: #EEF198;"|
| '''[[Ho Man Tin station|Ho Man Tin]]'''
| rowspan=2| [[Kowloon City District|Kowloon City]]
| {{rcb|MTR|East West|yes}}
| rowspan=2| 23 October 2016
|-
| style="background: #AECFF0;"|
| '''[[Whampoa station|Whampoa]]'''
|
|}

=== Naming ===
At initial stage, Sung Wong Toi station was named as To Kwa Wan station, while To Kwa Wan station was named as Ma Tau Wai station.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vjmedia.com.hk/articles/2015/02/22/100383/sclphase1/|title=「 沙田至中環綫 」第一期 (Chinese: Sha Tin to Central Link phrase 1)|date=22 Feb 2017}}</ref> Yet, such naming did not please adjacent community as geographically former To Kwa Wan station was not recognised as part of To Kwa Wan. Therefore, MTR internally amended the naming but had not been revealed to public until 2017 Panel on Transport of [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hk01.com/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/121358/%E6%B8%AF%E9%90%B5%E6%B2%99%E4%B8%AD%E7%B7%9A-%E5%9C%9F%E7%93%9C%E7%81%A3-%E7%AB%99%E8%AE%8A-%E5%AE%8B%E7%9A%87%E8%87%BA-%E7%AB%99-%E6%B8%AF%E9%90%B5-%E5%85%A7%E9%83%A8%E5%8F%83%E8%80%83%E6%9C%AA%E8%90%BD%E5%AF%A6|title=港鐵沙中線「土瓜灣」站變「宋皇臺」站？ 港鐵：內部參考未落實|last=黃|first=雅盈|date=24 Sep 2017}}</ref>

== Notes ==

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{MTR}}
{{Sha Tin to Central Link navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sha Tin To Central Link}}
[[Category:Sha Tin to Central Link| ]]
[[Category:Proposed buildings and structures in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Tuen Ma line]]
[[Category:Proposed railway lines in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Standard gauge railways in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Immersed tube tunnels in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:East Rail line]]