On August 18, 2002, Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation received an urgently needed rail link in record time: the Tseung Kwan O Extension, running from the existing Eastern Harbour Crossing in western Kowloon to the new terminus station at Po Lam—inaugurated four months ahead of schedule and under budget.

The region’s fast development and rapidly increasing population made the five-station 12.5-kilometer (7.8-mile) extension a top priority with the Hong Kong government. The line more than doubles the capacity of the area’s public transport, linking it to Hong Kong’s rail system and relieving congestion on the heavily used roadways.

PB had been involved in the initial planning stages of the project, providing technology options review and mechanical/electrical inputs to the feasibility study. In 1997, PB was selected to lead an international consortium providing project management, detailed design and construction services for two of the five stations, Po Lam and Hang Hau. Under another contract, PB was responsible for the Tiu Keng Leng and Tseung Kwan O stations’ mechanical and electrical design.