More money sought for Sha Tin-Central rail link as relics drain contingency fund

The contingency fund for the Sha Tin to Central rail link project is not enough to meet the ongoing costs of the archaeological dig at the future To Kwa Wan station, according to government documents submitted to the Legislative Council.

The Transport Bureau said it would work with the Development Bureau to seek additional funding from Legco to proceed with the work. The amount required, however, was not disclosed.

The Tai Wai to Hung Hom section of the link was originally set to open in December 2018. But the HK$79.8 billion project is now at least 11 months behind schedule due to the archaeological dig, with the delay adding substantially to the original estimate.

"The Highways Department will coordinate and oversee the construction … so that MTR would recover some of the delay to the Tai Wai to Hung Hom section, with a view to commissioning the … section in 2019 as far as possible," the bureau said in the documents.

Work began at the end of January to remove an ancient well, which dates to the Song (960-1279) or Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties, from what will be the roof of the To Kwa Wan station. It is to be rebuilt nearby.

A further seven relics will be preserved on the site. The MTR has estimated the additional cost of the project because of the archaeological works would be at least HK$4.1 billion.