The MTR Corporation Limited (MTR Corporation) has awarded Leighton Asia (LEI) a contract worth A$463 million for the construction of the tunnels and ventilation buildings in the Tse Uk Tsuen to Shek Yam section of the Guangzhou – Shenzhen – Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL).
The Guangzhou – Shenzhen – Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) is a cross boundary transport infrastructure project, which will provide high speed rail services between Hong Kong and mainland China. The Hong Kong SAR Government has entrusted the design and construction of the Guangzhou – Shenzhen – Hong Kong Express Rail Link Hong Kong Section to the MTR Corporation.
The Hong Kong section of the XRL will be underground for the 26 km from the terminus in West Kowloon to the boundary crossing point at Huanggang, Shenzhen. The awarded Contract 822 includes the construction of a 7.6 km twin-track tunnel between Tse Uk Tsuen and Shek Yam, ventilation and access adits, two ventilation buildings and a 90 m deep ventilation shaft. Drill and blast techniques will be used for the construction of the tunnels. The works will be undertaken in co-operation with Macmahon Holdings.
Hamish Tyrwhitt, Managing Director of Leighton Asia said “Leighton Asia is delighted to be selected to construct another part of Hong Kong’s rail network. The XRL will provide the strategic link for Hong Kong to the comprehensive high-speed rail network in Mainland China. Leighton is excited to play a key role in this effort to provide a fast and convenient railway service to the communities in Hong Kong that will connect to other mainland cities.”
Contract works start in March 2010 with scheduled completion in 2015.
