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Line 7 extension in Seoul opens A new Line 7 extension has opened in Seoul, South Korea, creating a connection with Incheon Line 2. There are also plans to extend the line to Cheongra. The Seoknam Extension Line is a 4.2
kilometre track from Bupyeong-gu Office Station to Seoknam Station on Incheon Subway Line 2. The cost of the project is invested in a total project cost of 377.5 billion won (USD$330 million).
Improvements to Manila’s Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) system The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) and the Department of Science and Technology – Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) have entered into a new partnership to create a more efficient rail system that would make mobility and transportation better for Filipinos. In a memorandum of understanding signed by both parties on 21 April 2021 in a virtual signing ceremony, LRMC and DOST-MIRDC have agreed to perform specific functions to achieve a common goal of sustaining the improvements in the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) system.
As the current private operator of LRT-1, LRMC is seeking the expertise of the DOST-MIRDC in conducting structural repairs of specific light rail vehicles (LRVs), as well as the local re-engineering and/or fabrication of spare parts that are already obsolete and/or difficult to source. Enrico R. Benipayo, LRMC Chief Operating Officer said ‘LRT-1 is a valuable mode of transportation for Filipinos in Metro Manila. We believe that with the expertise of our partners at DOST-MIRDC, we can continue enhancing the LRT-1 system to achieve our vision of becoming the commuter’s choice in transportation.’
Major tunnelling works complete as all four TBMs reach final stop All four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) digging the Metro Tunnel’s 6.3 metre-high, twin 9km tunnels have now completed their works after 20 months. The last TBM to hit the finish line was Meg, which arrived at the new Town Hall Station in May. The other TBMs – Millie, Alice and Joan – arrived at the site throughout May. Between them, the TBMs have lined the tunnels from South Yarra to Kensington with around 250,000 tonnes of concrete, tunnelling an average of 90 metres per week. They dug as deep as 40 metres below ground, passing twelve metres under the Yarra River, seven metres beneath the Burnley tunnel and just 1.5 metres below the City Loop. The huge TBMs are now being dismantled. The ‘skin’ of each will remain underground to form part of the permanent tunnel lining, and the remaining TBM components will be assessed for potential reuse on other tunnelling projects.
There is much more work to be done before the Metro Tunnel is completed in 2025 – including more digging works using roadheaders to complete the final section of tunnels alongside the platforms at Town Hall Station. Work is also continuing on building the five new underground stations. Focus now turns to major construction of the project’s five new underground stations, Arden Station will be the centrepiece of a massive new precinct that will be the home of Victoria’s innovation economy, which is expected to include up to 34,000 jobs and be home to around 15,000 residents by 2050. Arden Station will have a direct link to the Airport in 2029 and be within walking distance of the North Melbourne Recreation Centre, Arden Street Oval and the route 57 trams, creating a transport hub.
MTR Tuen Ma Line to commence passenger service on 27 June 2021 MTR Corporation has announced that the Tuen Ma Line (TML) full line will commence passenger service on Sunday, 27 June 2021. This follows the official completion of statutory safety tests and inspections and approval from relevant Government departments. The TML will be the longest railway line in Hong Kong, linking the east and west of the New Territories and east Kowloon, and the start of passenger service will mark another milestone in Hong Kong’s railway network development. With a route length of 56 kilometres and serving Rail Professional
27 stations, the TML consists of six interchange stations connecting to the East Rail Line, Kwun Tong Line, Tung Chung Line and Tsuen Wan Line, allowing passengers to travel around the city more conveniently. The TML also extends the railway network to Kowloon City with new stations at Sung Wong Toi and To Kwa Wan, bringing convenient, efficient, environmentally friendly and comfortable railway service to local residents.
