Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation has appointed Atkins to carry out the detailed design for the southern section of the Express Rail Link, tunnels and associated structures project.

The Express Rail Link project consists of a new underground terminus station in West Kowloon, and approximately 26 km of tunnels and associated facilities from the terminus in Kowloon to the Mainland boundary at Mai Po in the New Territories. It is a strategically important project for Hong Kong as it will provide additional cross boundary connectivity with Mainland China. It will provide high speed rail services between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, and a connection to China’s national high-speed passenger rail network serving major Mainland cities outside of Guangdong province.

All of the southern section will be within tunnels constructed by a combination of drill-and-blast, tunnel boring machines and cut-and-cover techniques. The work is being carried out to a fast-tracked programme and involves tunnelling works in the urban area in complex ground conditions.

Atkins was previously responsible for the preliminary design of the tunnels on the project and is also part of the team which has secured the detailed design of the northern section, including a further 10km of tunnels and the Emergency Rescue Station and Shek Kong Stabling Sidings.