MTR has launched the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) which will construct the southern section of Hong Kong’s Shatin to Central Link (SCL).
Named after the Greek goddess Athena, the TBM will construct three of the four tunnels that will make up the Hong Kong Island Section of SCL.
The SCL will massively extend MTR’s rail network, creating new east-west and north-south corridors.
Athena will bore a 600-metre “up-track” tunnel from Causeway Bay to the future site of Exhibition Station – a new underground station on the Hong Kong Island Section.
Once this is complete, the TBM will construct the up-and-down-track tunnels to Admiralty Station, which will be expanded to accommodate the SCL platforms.
The final tunnel will be delivered by Athena’s sister, Zhi-nu.
TM Lee, general manager, SCL and head of E&M Construction of MTR Corporation, said in a statement: “SCL is a strategic railway project.
“On completion, it will greatly enhance connectivity of the entire railway network on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories thus forming an integral part of Rail Gen 2.0, Hong Kong’s new generation of rail travel.”
