In response to the recent media report on June 17 about the excavation works at the Exhibition Centre Station under the Shatin to Central Link project that have raised public concern on the associated works safety at the Exhibition Centre Station, the Highways Department (HyD) have received the written information submitted by the MTRCL last evening (June 19).
After a review of MTRCL's information, the HyD is deeply dismayed by the fact that the contractor has proceeded with excavation exceeding the allowable depth before installation of the final layer of temporary steel struts, and that MTRCL has allowed the situation to persist for a prolonged period. The Transport and Housing Bureau and the HyD also deeply regret that the attitude of the MTRCL, as a project manager, and the contractor in handling the incident has unsatisfactorily put the public safety at risks.
In addition, it is totally unacceptable that the MTRCL has repeatedly failed to timely notify the HyD of incidents related to the construction of Hung Hom Station, To Kwa Wan Station and Exhibition Centre Station. The HyD has not been informed of the incidents until media enquiry were received.
Regarding the information the HyD received from MTRCL, there are still many questions left unanswered and the HyD will demand a full and proper account of the incident, including a comprehensive review of MTRCL's implementation of the supervision system.
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