PB made substantial cost savings possible throughout the project. The new Po Lam Station, for example, was originally envisaged by the MTRC to be an island platform configuration: a ground-level platform, a concourse immediately above, and a mezzanine plant area on top. But recognizing that the extension could not practically be pushed past Po Lam Station, PB suggested revising the mode of railway operation to a pinched loop.

MTRC’s acceptance of this scenario eliminated one running track and associated platform; this allowed the concourse functions to move to ground level and open directly to a pedestrian footpath. With the concourse relocated, the mezzanine was also lowered. In this way, the team was able to eliminate an entire floor from the station—while still meeting all of the MTRC’s operational requirements.

Not only did the revised arrangement significantly improve passenger movements, emergency evacuation, and services distribution, it also reduced the estimated construction costs by over 30 percent. For outstanding performance on Po Lam Station, the team was granted the Chairman’s Award by the MTRC.