West Kowloon Station

Hong Kong West Kowloon
香港西九龍
China Railway High-speed

West Kowloon Station construction site
Location Jordan Road × Lin Cheung Road, West Kowloon
Yau Tsim Mong District, Hong Kong
China
Line(s) Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong XRL
Platforms 15[1]
Connections
Construction
Structure type Underground
History
Opened Late 2018
Services
Preceding station   MTR   Following station
towards Beijing West
Beijing–Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong High-Speed Railway Terminus
View of the construction site
View of the construction site
View of the construction site
Temporary roadworks along D1A(South)
Temporary roadworks along D1A (North)

West Kowloon Station (Chinese: 西九龍站, Abbreviation: WKS) is the terminus of the Hong Kong Section of Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL), and is currently under construction. It is the only station in the Hong Kong Section and will connect to the mainland China section through a dedicated tunnel. It is being constructed by the MTR Corporation.[2]

Aedas, in collaboration with AECOM, have been awarded the contract to design the multi-story 380,000 square meter terminus.[3][4]

WKS will be located in Jordan, Kowloon, north of the proposed West Kowloon Cultural District between the Airport Express and Tung Chung Line Kowloon Station and the West Rail Line Austin Station, extending into the underground area of the West Kowloon Cultural District.[5]

The original scheduled opening date of 2012 was delayed until 2015 following the shake-up of high-speed rail construction across China after the 2011 Wenzhou train collision. While construction of the station was still planned for completion in 2015, major flooding occurred in the railway tunnels under construction on 30 March 2014. This resulted in great damage to the tunnel boring machines. Internal MTR reports suggested causes were incomplete tender drawings, site surveys and planning before construction began.[6] As connect of the station to the rest of the Chinese high-speed rail network is now scheduled for the 3rd quarter of 2018, some aspects of the station's construction have been slowed down or delayed. The cost of the construction also increased by around 30% more than the initial estimated.[7]

Border control, immigration and law enforcement arrangements at the station remain to be confirmed. The Hong Kong government's proposal for implementing its understanding with the Chinese government involves creating a Chinese border zone which encompasses the entire platform area and all the train carriages, in which mainland Chinese law applies to most criminal and civil law matters, and Hong Kong law applies only to a limited number of civil law matters. This proposal is controversial and is the subject of an application for judicial review.[8]

Structure

Construction of the West Kowloon Station project was divided into two parts, XRL810A ( northern part ) and XRL810B ( southern part ) [9] (XRL meaning eXpress Rail Link). The northern construction area was awarded to Leighton Contractors & Gammon Construction(Golden Gate) responsible for joint operations. The southern part of the project was awarded to a consortium of Laing O'Rourke, HCCG(Xinchang) & Paul Y jointly responsible for the construction.

West Kowloon Station features 9 long distance platforms and 6 short haul regional platforms for a total of 15 platforms.[10][11]

Border control and mainland jurisdiction

In addition, as a cross-border railway railway station, West Kowloon Station will also be set up with Hong Kong Customs and Immigration facilities for the passengers to go through the formalities prior to boarding the train and not requiring any stops at the Hong Kong border.[12][13][14]

Under the Hong Kong government's proposal, which reflects its mutual understanding with the Chinese central government, two border zones are to be created at the station. The mainland border zone would cover sections of the B2 and B3 levels and the entire B4 (platform) level and all adjoining walkways, together with any additional platforms constructed in the future. All trains operating on the Hong Kong section of the railway would also be deemed to be part of the mainland border zone. The agreement further specifies that within the border zone a limited number of civil law matters (including civil law disputes between passengers and the train operator) are to be governed by Hong Kong law, while all other civil law matters and all criminal law matters would be governed by mainland law and subject to the jurisdiction of the Chinese judiciary.[15]

The Hong Kong government's proposed implemention of this understanding would allow mainland Chinese law enforcement to operate throughout this extended border zone, and not just a border or immigration control post, including to use weapons.[16] This proposal has been controversial in Hong Kong, as it is seen to be in effect creating extraterritorial jurisdiction for mainland Chinese law enforcement and judiciary. Opposition politicians and some legal commentators are concerned that the arrangement violates the principle enshrined in the Basic Law that general mainland law does not apply in Hong Kong, and that if implemented it would set a dangerous precedent for more parts of Hong Kong to be declared to be under mainland jurisdiction,[17] but defenders of the proposal say that it is consistent with Article 20 of the Basic Law, which permits the central government to empower the Hong Kong government to do that which it is not otherwise permitted to do under the Basic Law.[18] An application for judicial review of the Hong Kong government's decision is in progress.[19]

Platforms

First Floor Platform
 Footbridge MTR Kowloon Station and Austin Station, shop, garden squares, green Strip
Ground Concourse Entrance, concourses, public transport interchange, green ground Plaza
Underground Level 1 Hallway Floor Ticketing lobby, taxi drop-off stations, parking superstructure
Underground Level 2 Entry Level Austin Road West underpass arrival hall, offices, taxi pick-up stations, subways to Austin Station, the station car park
Underground Level 3 Departures Level Waiting room, departure hall
Underground Level 4 Side platform
Platform 1 Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link regional train to Guangzhou South (Futian)
Platform 2
Island platform
Platform 3 Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link regional train to Guangzhou South (Futian)
Platform 4
Island platform
Platform 5 Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link regional train to Guangzhou South (Futian)
Platform 6
Side platform
Side platform
Platform 7 Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link long-distance trains to major cities outside Guangdong Province (Shenzhen North)
Platform 8
Island platform
Platform 9 Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link long-distance trains to major cities outside Guangdong Province (Shenzhen North)
Platform 10
Island platform
Platform 11 Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link long-distance trains to major cities outside Guangdong Province (Shenzhen North)
Platform 12
Island platform
Platform 13 Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link long-distance trains to major cities outside Guangdong Province (Shenzhen North)
Platform 14
Island platform
Platform 15 Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link long-distance trains to major cities outside Guangdong Province (Shenzhen North)

Landscaping

West Kowloon Station will feature an extensive green garden across the roof area of the station. It will also set up a large collection of cultural elements and entertainment spaces. Passengers can easily cross the ground floor between Kowloon Station, Austin Station and West Kowloon Cultural District, providing Hong Kong residents and visitors ample public open space and a comfortable green walking environment. Above the station, an area of approximately 8,900 square metres will be planted with a large number of plants and trees with traffic separated. All to create a pedestrian area, a green platform and wooded park that will integrate with the West Kowloon Cultural District harbourside parklands.

In addition, the West Kowloon Station entrance lobby area will feature a green ecological leisure channel zone to tie in with the greenery on top of the building.

Train services

The West Kowloon Station will be served by both short-distance services and long-distance train services. Short-distance services consist of a frequency service to neighbouring Guangdong province, mainland China cities, including Shenzhen, Dongguan and Guangzhou, while long-distance services link Hong Kong with at least 16 major destinations in mainland China.[20] Six platforms will be designated for short haul trains, while nine will be designated for long haul trains.

Short-distance services

Preceding station   MTR   Following station
TerminusGuangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong XRL
Short haul service
Terminus
TerminusGuangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong XRL
Short haul service
Terminus
TerminusGuangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong XRL
Short haul service
Terminus
TerminusGuangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong XRL
Short haul service
Terminus

Long-haul services

Preceding station   China Railway High-speed   Following station
TerminusGuangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong XRL
Long haul service
towards 

According to a 2008 study, it is expected that by 2030, train services will increase in frequency.[21][22]

It is expected that by 2016, the West Kowloon Station daily number of passengers carried will be about 99,000 passengers.

MTR

West Kowloon Station is located between two MTR stations, Kowloon Station and Austin Station. It is intended to develop into a commuter hub. Passengers can gain transfer through the ground pedestrian area, a number of footbridges and subways to connect with the MTR Kowloon Station and Austin Station. It is expected that a walk from Kowloon Station to West Kowloon Station will require 8–10 minutes, while transfer to/from Austin station will need only 2–3 minutes.

From the West Kowloon Station via the MTR to the various regions of Hong Kong:

Public interchange

In addition, at the northern terminus in West Kowloon will set up a public transport interchange and long-distance coach berthing facilities. Walking from the West Kowloon Station to these facilities only takes one minute. Passengers can use different modes of transport to reach for the bus station, minibus station and taxi stand.

Time needed to travel to/from West Kowloon Station using road transport:

Road network

Related developments by the Hong Kong government in West Kowloon, expect to improve the efficiency of road and pedestrian access routes, as well as to resolve a problematic traffic intersection in West Kowloon. These road developments hope to meet the transport needs of the entire area of the new development area of West Kowloon Cultural District and West Kowloon Station after completion.

Transportation Study identified the following specific road improvement measures:

Awards

In 2010, the West Kowloon Station design won "Cityscape Awards for Architecture" in the Emerging Markets of Tourism, Travel & Transport Future Awards.[23] In the same year on 4 November, the West Kowloon Station design won the "Best Future Project ─ Infrastructure" World Architecture Festival Awards.[24]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Railway Facilities". MTR Corporation. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  2. ↑ Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link
  3. ↑ "West Kowloon Terminus, Hong Kong". AECOM. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  4. ↑ "Express Rail Link West Kwoloon Terminus Hong Kong". Aedas. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  5. ↑ West Kowloon Terminus (WKT)
  6. ↑ "Severely damaged TBM to delay Hong Kong XRL". Tunnellingjournal.com. 16 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "High speed rail link project delayed". RTHK. 16 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Hong Kong justice chief welcomes legal challenges to joint rail checkpoint". South China Morning Post. 2017-07-26.
  9. ↑ 廣深港高速鐵路-已批合約
  10. ↑ 環境評估報告：廣深港高速鐵路香港段（環境評估報告NOL/ERL/300/C/XRL/ENS/M50/024號文件），2009年7月22日，香港環境保護署
  11. ↑ Express Rail Link West Kowloon Terminus Hong Kong 凱達環球
  12. ↑ 環境評估報告：廣深港高速鐵路香港段（環境評估報告NOL/ERL/300/C/XRL/ENS/M50/025A號文件），2009年7月22日，香港環境保護署
  13. ↑ 環境評估報告：廣深港高速鐵路香港段（環境評估報告NOL/ERL/300/C/XRL/ENS/M50/026A號文件），2009年7月22日，香港環境保護署
  14. ↑ 政府當局就西九龍總站介紹提供的文件 2009年11月17日，香港立法會
  15. ↑ http://www.thb.gov.hk/tc/policy/transport/policy/colocation/Chi_XRL_LegCo_(Final).pdf 廣深港高速鐵路香港段清關、出入境及檢疫安排
  16. ↑ "Six key questions on how dual jurisdiction will work at Hong Kong’s new rail terminus". South China Morning Post. 2017-07-26.
  17. ↑ "Chinese officials to enforce mainland laws in Hong Kong train station". Nasdaq. 2017-07-25.
  18. ↑ "Mainland China’s criminal law will also apply at Hong Kong’s rail link terminus". South China Morning Post. 2017-07-26.
  19. ↑ "Hong Kong justice chief welcomes legal challenges to joint rail checkpoint". South China Morning Post. 2017-07-26.
  20. ↑ "Frequency and Capacity". MTR Corporation. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  21. ↑ 大珠三角之鐵路發展 第25頁，香港鐵路公司，2008年10月18日
  22. ↑ 高鐵班次及載客量 香港鐵路公司
  23. ↑ Real Estate Investment, Development and Construction Exhibition - 2010 Winners Cityscape，2010年
  24. ↑ West Kowloon Terminus World Buildings Directory
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Coordinates: 22°18′13″N 114°09′54″E / 22.30361°N 114.16500°E / 22.30361; 114.16500

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