History of the South Island line and West Island line
In September 1967, they proposed a mass transit railway network, which included the Island line from Kennedy Town to Chai Wan.
The stations in between would be, from University, Cyberport, Wah Fu, South Horizons, Lei Tung, Wong Chuk Hang, Ocean Park and Happy Valley.
The construction of phase two, which will include a depot near Kennedy Town station, is subject to the land availability of the western reclamation.
On 21 January 2003, the Executive Council of Hong Kong made modifications to the South Island line plans, to achieve a more cost-effective option and taking into account the parallel development of Route 4.
Specifically, construction of West Island line as heavy rail would not include Kennedy Town if there was no Western reclamation.
Specifically, construction of West Island line as heavy railway type tunnels and stations would not include Kennedy Town if there is no Western reclamation.
To respond to the criticism directed towards the original proposal, the MTRC started a feasibility study of the lines in mid-2003 to look for cost effective options to improve the system.
The company derived a modified proposal in November 2003, with three options of alignment in the South Island line part, to address the drawbacks in the initial scheme.
A short extension from Sheung Wan to Sai Ying Pun, in which the latter station provides a transfer to the West Island line.
On 28 May 2004, the Panel of Transport of Legislative Council held a meeting to consider the development of West and South Island lines along with the highway link (Route 4).
Some panel members stated that the projected population growth in the south cannot support the new lines, and that the government should have a thorough plan on how to develop the Southern District before implementing the rail links.
The new West Island line would run from Sheung Wan to Kennedy Town: The MTR claimed that the latest scheme had the following advantages: The officials from Environment, Transport and Works Bureau said that consideration of funding depends on the development of tourism in Southern District, especially after the submission of Ocean Park redevelopment project.
On 10 October 2007, Chief executive Donald Tsang announced in the policy address that the South Island line would start construction in around 2011, and will be opened in 2015.
[8] On 18 December 2007, the Executive Council of Hong Kong approved the construction of the east section of South Island line.
[13] Some Southern District Councillors, like Lo Kin-hei and Henry Chai disagreed, especially after government has given MTRC topside development rights of Wong Chuk Hang Depot.
[16] Eight days later at the South District Council meeting, MTRC announced the delay was caused by the expansion work of Admiralty station.
High-density building, underground public facilities and the existing Admiralty station would prolong the work progress, as "safety comes first".
[18] In October 2016, MTRC chairman Frederick Ma warned that the opening of the South Island line could be delayed by three more months.
[19] However, on 10 November 2016, he announced the South Island line would open by the end of 2016, saying the engineering team overcame the many challenges in expanding Admiralty station.
[20] Finally, MTRC chief executive Lincoln Leong officially declared the South Island line would begin operation on 28 December 2016.
Two entrances of Sai Ying Pun station, which are for Queen's Road West and First Street, had suffered unstable ground condition.
[21][non-primary source needed][22] In the same month, MTRC proposed to government that West Island line would be opened as schedule, but Sai Ying Pun would not be in service for public.
