The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corp (KCRC) has invited contractors to pre-qualify for work on three extensions to its East Rail network costing about US$3 billion. The first extension is an 11.4-kilometre link from the existing Tai Wai station to Ma On Shan, with nine stations and a maintenance depot. The second project is a one-km extension to the southern end of the East Rail line from Hunghom to Tsim Sha Tsui East. Finally there are plans for a 7.4-km spur from Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau. 'The first two are estimated to cost about US$2 billion and the Sheung Shui-Lok Ma Chau about $1 billion,' a source said. The three projects will be awarded between May and January next year. The KCRC awarded design contracts for the Sheung Shui-Lok Ma Chau spur just before Christmas. A joint venture between Binnie Black and Veatch-Meinhardt will design the Sheung Shui station and associated viaducts and railway to Lok Ma Chau. The source said Mott Connell had been appointed to design the Lok Ma Chau terminus and associated work. In May, the KCRC plans to put out a tender for modification work at Hunghom station, and projects at Tai Wai station and depot. In June, it will tender the construction work between Tai Wai and Shek Mun, which includes the construction of an elevated railway and four stations, an elevated and at-grade railway and four stations for Shek Mun-Lee On, and the diversion of Dongjiang water mains. It also plans to tender out various projects in August, including Tsim Sha Tsui East station. TRANSPORT