MTR Corp to use skidding method for rail station

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, August 29, 2026

MTR Corporation will use a pioneering skidding construction method to build Hung Shui Kiu station atop an active railway viaduct, aiming to complete the project by 2030 while minimizing construction during peak maintenance hours. This approach will require service disruptions on the Tuen Ma line at nearby stations next year, prompting calls for careful management and advance public notification to reduce commuter impact.

The MTR Corporation has announced it will employ a skidding construction method to build Hung Shui Kiu station, marking a global first for a heavy-rail project. The approach is intended to address tight timelines and support the station’s completion by 2030.

Hung Shui Kiu station, situated between Tin Shui Wai and Siu Hong stations on the Tuen Ma line, is designed to serve the forthcoming Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area, part of the Northern Metropolis megaproject. This project will also be Hong Kong’s first instance of a station constructed atop an active railway viaduct.

According to Carl Devlin, the corporation’s capital works director, the station’s structural components, each weighing approximately 10,000 tonnes, will be prefabricated at worksites on either side of the viaduct before being skidded into place beside the operational Tuen Ma line. This method notably reduces the need for construction activities during non-traffic hours—known as the “golden two hours” used daily for maintenance—thereby mitigating construction risks and helping maintain the project schedule.

Devlin acknowledged that service adjustments along the Tuen Ma line are unavoidable to accommodate the skidding operations. Drawing from prior railway projects, the MTR plans careful scheduling to minimize inconvenience for passengers.

The corporation indicated that stations at Tuen Mun, Siu Hong, and Tin Shui Wai would experience service disruptions during skidding activities anticipated in the latter part of the first quarter and the third quarter of next year. Detailed plans and arrangements will be communicated following a thorough assessment of the impact on rail services.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong has called for the MTR Corporation and the Transport Department to manage the disruptions with caution. The group urged authorities to disclose the service suspension details at least one month in advance and ensure adequate provision of feeder bus services and on-site staff to assist affected commuters traveling between Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, and Tin Shui Wai.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.