MTR station’s defective columns: unacceptable errors or unfinished work?

The Tung Chung West railway station is one of two new stations being constructed as part of a HK$24.2 billion expansion of the Tung Chung line, with construction commencing in May 2023 and a completion target of 2029. The station, located west of Yat Tung Estate, will connect to the existing Tung Chung station via a 1.3km underground tunnel extension, providing transport for residents of Yat Tung, Mun Tung and surrounding housing developments.

However, reports have emerged of defective concrete columns at the platform level, with gaps between the columns' tops and the floor slab above. This has raised concerns about the quality and safety of the construction, with some experts attributing the gaps to unfinished work, while others condemn them as unacceptable errors that could signal a broader decline in Hong Kong's construction sector.

Authorities have identified about 30 defective columns at the station, though they assure that temporary supports mean there is no immediate structural danger. The MTR Corporation, responsible for the station's design, construction, operation and maintenance, has suspended works involving the defective columns and launched an investigation. The registered structural engineer overseeing the project must submit an investigation report and proposed remedies to the Buildings Department by mid-November.

While no safety risks were found with the first defect, the broader issue has prompted concern among authorities, including the Transport and Logistics Bureau, which demanded a thorough investigation from the MTR Corporation and the Highways Department. The Highways Department will monitor progress, safety and quality through risk-based inspections and spot checks of key procedures. It remains to be seen whether the defects will delay the project's targeted completion in 2029.