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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).
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 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.
Trackunit announces strategic expansion in Asia Pacific Japan region with new offices and regional leadership to support growth in construction
Digital transformation expert, Chi Sen Gay, has been appointed to lead Trackunit in APJ as new Regional HQ established in Singapore. SaaS (Software as a Service) technologies expanding userbase in construction industry highlights digital uptake across industry sectors. Country-specific, regional strategy exemplifies Trackunit’s customer-led philosophy. Digital deployment increases efficiency to help Eliminate Downtime – a major factor slowing construction’s productivity.
Trackunit, a global leader in software-led telematics solutions for off-highway vehicles and construction market equipment, has increased its APJ presence with the appointment Chi Sen Gay, a highly experienced global tech senior executive, and the opening of its regional HQ in Singapore as well as new offices in Japan and Australia. The new moves build upon Trackunit’s existing presence to better serve current and new customers throughout the region.
Leading the expansion in Asia Pacific Japan (APJ) as newly appointed SVP for the region, Chi Sen Gay brings decades of experience garnered from the enterprise IT sector, where he focused on software, hardware, and services. Chi Sen previously worked at global companies including Schneider Electric and IBM and brings strong knowledge and experience of building a digital business.
Trackunit is a driving force in the digitization of the construction sector, serving equipment manufacturers, rental companies, and contractors, connecting construction equipment and processing data to the cloud to deliver value-added insights. The APJ region is highly receptive to the benefits that technology provides. It is a major opportunity for Trackunit’s SaaS capabilities to add insights and value for customers. The digital transformation of the construction industry supports customers’ greater understanding of their site environments and machine asset health.
Multiple Thai rail bids to be announced this Summer
New independent Non-Executive Directors Join MTR Board
Both Thailand’s Transport Ministry and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) are preparing to receive and announce the winners of multiple bids for railway projects across the country. The Ministry is expected to invite tenders for the concession to run commercial operations at Bang Sue Grand Central Station this month with the bids coming in through to July. That same month, SRT is expected to name the winners of the bids for two of its double-track rail projects in the north of the country.
Bang Sue Grand Station will replace Hua Lamphong as Bangkok and Thailand’s main central station.
The MTR Corporation has appointed Mr Hui Siu-wai and Mr Adrian Wong Koon-man as Independent Non-Executive Directors (INED) of the Board. The Board has also appointed Mr Hui as a member of each of the Capital Works Committee and Risk Committee, and Mr Wong as a member of each of the Audit Committee and Nominations Committee of the Corporation. Mr Hui Siu-wai joined the Hong Kong Government in 1978 as a student building surveyor and has worked in a wide range of posts in the former Buildings Ordinance Office, the former Building Development Department, the former Buildings and Lands Department and the Buildings Department.
