History
This line was planned to serve the new town of Tseung Kwan O (literally, General's Bay), and after being approved by the Hong Kong Executive Council on 20 October 1998, construction commenced on 24 April 1999. The line opened on 18 August 2002, and took over the train tracks running through the Eastern Harbour Tunnel from the Kwun Tong Line. Subsequently, the Kwun Tong Line was diverted to Tiu Keng Leng station on the new line.
This line is the first MTR line with no track on viaducts. The portion of the line between Yau Tong and Po Lam has its concourses set on ground level or above, unlike other stations on the MTR network which have concourses underground. Trains at Yau Tong, Po Lam and LOHAS Park are also at ground level, but are completely covered to minimise noise to the surrounding development. The rest of the line has its tracks below ground level.
Not all of the line was newly constructed. Quarry Bay station and the tunnels crossing Victoria Harbour had been in use for over 10 years by the Kwun Tong Line.
Read more about this topic: Tseung Kwan O Line
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