Concourse slab completed at Kwu Tung Station
The new Kwu Tung Station on Hong Kong’s East Rail Line has completed its concourse slab — a critical structural milestone in the complex build programme being delivered by Dragages Hong Kong for MTR Corporation.
Situated directly above a live railway tunnel, the new underground station demanded a carefully staged cut-and-cover construction method. Following excavation works, a temporary steel strutting system comprising 28 metal struts stabilised the tunnel box, maintaining ground loads and groundwater pressure while concourse slab construction progressed above.
The reinforced concrete slab was cast using heavily reinforced formwork, with full-time precision monitoring in place to detect any ground movement or tunnel deformation, achieving micrometre-level accuracy. A Common Data Environment (CDE) and full Building Information Modelling (BIM) coordination allowed real-time updates and clash detection across disciplines during slab construction.
An automated groundwater control system maintained tunnel stability throughout, detecting water pressure variations and regulating flows via a network of sensors, valves and CCTV. Once the concourse slab reached full design strength, the struts were systematically removed, transferring load onto the permanent structure without disrupting East Rail Line operations.
The next phase will see the completion of station entrances, escalators and architectural finishes. Kwu Tung Station is on schedule for commissioning in 2027, becoming an important interchange with the future Northern Link and supporting the Kwu Tung North New Development Area.
An MTR Corporation spokesperson said: "Completing the concourse slab marks a major achievement on one of Hong Kong’s most technically demanding railway projects. This success demonstrates the effectiveness of smart construction technologies and advanced structural engineering in overcoming site constraints."
Kwu Tung Station is designed to achieve BEAM Plus Gold certification, with features such as natural lighting, green roofing, modular construction techniques, and digital site management.
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