The MTR Corporation on Friday said preparatory work had begun for the construction of Hung Shui Kiu Station on the Tuen Ma Line.

The railway firm said construction of the new station, located between Siu Hong and Tin Shui Wai, was expected to be completed in 2030.

Walter Lam, MTR’s project manager overseeing the project, said this is the first time they are adding a station to an operating viaduct, on which the Tuen Ma Line runs.

“It’s about 10 to 11 metres above ground. We have a massive high-level working platform. And we don’t want to touch anything on top -- what I mean is the existing utilities, the existing overhead lines. We have to turn off the power,” he said.

Lam noted that one of the biggest challenges is they only have around six non-traffic hours a week to work at the site.

He said they had recently started removing a 400-metre segment of the parapet to make room for the new station.

“Before we cut [the parapet], we have temporary support holding it in place, making sure it won’t move, it’s stable, and it’s safe. It won’t affect the operation on the next day,” he said.

The engineer said they would, at the next stage, build a foundation for the new station that is made of pre-cast components.

He said Hung Shui Kiu Station should open in 2030, when residents in the new development area are expected to move in.

The MTR said work was also starting this year to build new stations like Oyster Bay on the Tung Chung Line and Kwu Tung on the East Rail Line.