page_title: Sha Tin to Central Link
section_title: Expected commencement
hierarchical_section_title: Sha Tin to Central Link / History / Expected commencement
caption_attribution_description: English: Shatin to Central Link in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
context_page_description: The Sha Tin to Central Link is an expansion of the MTR rapid transit network currently under construction in Hong Kong. It is divided into two sections.
  The first section, codenamed “Tuen Ma Line”, runs from Tai Wai station in the New Territories to Hung Hom station in Kowloon. The Tai Wai–Hung Hom segment will connect the Ma On Shan line and West Rail line, forming the new Tuen Ma line. Operation of the Tai Wai to Kai Tak section began on 14 February 2020. The opening of the section from Kai Tak to Hung Hom has been delayed to the third quarter of 2021.
  In anticipation of the Tuen Ma Line, the existing Kwun Tong line was extended from its previous terminus at Yau Ma Tei to Whampoa station. This extension includes the new Ho Man Tin station to provide interchange with the Tuen Ma Line. The Kwun Tong line extension was opened on 23 October 2016.
  The second section, codenamed the “East Rail Line”, runs from Hung Hom to Admiralty on Hong Kong Island. The Hung Hom–Admiralty segment will be an extension of the East Rail Line. This cross-harbour extension is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2022.
context_section_description: The original commencement date of Phase 1 was 2018; Phase 2 was expected to be completed in 2020 or 2021. Some of the construction work of Phase 2 will follow the completion of Wan Chai Reclamation Phase 2 and Central–Wan Chai Bypass, as there are overlaps between station and tunnels. On November 2014, Secretary for Transport and Housing Anthony Cheung revealed that the project would be delayed by at least another 11 months, caused by archaeological Work at To Kwa Wan station (now renamed as Sung Wong Toi station), and extra enabling works at Exhibition Centre station for topside development. At that time, the authority submitted a document to the Legislative Council, stating Phases 1 and 2 would be completed in 2019 and 2021 respectively.
  However, the opening was delayed again due to construction quality problems at Hung Hom station. In January 2020, Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan announced the "Tuen Ma line first Phase" would be open in 14 February 2020, the rest of the Tuen Ma line would open in late 2020 or early 2021, and the MTR expects the opening of the East Rail line extensions in the first quarter of 2022, but is subject to change.
caption: While heavy road traffic on the surface, train tunnel is building underneath at Causeway Bay section
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