HKU station

Before the 1980s, an MTR station by the name of Whitty ({{lang|yue-HK|屈地}}) was planned to be built underground at Des Voeux Road West, near Ka On Street, Whitty Street and Hill Road. Lots at Chong Yip Centre and Pacific Plaza were reserved for future station exits and concourse.{{cite web |url=http://hk.geocities.com/hkwilcg/history |script-title=zh:西港島線歷史 |language=zh |trans-title=History of West Island Line |publisher=Hong Kong West Island Line Concern Group |year=2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040824151006/http://hk.geocities.com/hkwilcg/history |archive-date=24 August 2004 |access-date=6 July 2014 }} This was part of a planned extension of the Island line that was never built, but which was superseded by the West Island line project, of which HKU station forms a part.

The MTR Corporation let out a tender for the construction of the {{STN|Sai Ying Pun|x}} and HKU stations and {{cvt|2.2|km|abbr=on}} of tunnel. In 2009, the design and architecture was awarded to Aedas in joint venture with AECOM.{{cite web|url=http://www.aecom.com/deployedfiles/Internet/Geographies/Asia/Asia%20News/Spectrum_2nd%20issue-20110506.pdf|title=Spectrum Asia Issue 02/April 2011|publisher=AECOM}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The construction work was awarded to Gammon Construction, (half owned by Balfour Beatty) for HK$4.7 billion.{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/mtr-west-island-line-progresses.html|title=MTR West Island Line progresses|date=31 March 2010|publisher=Railway Gazette International|access-date=14 February 2011}} Construction commenced in 2010 and was completed in 2014.

HKU station opened on 28 December 2014.

There were disputes among locals and district councillors over the station's name. Some suggested to restore the previous official name "Belcher" ({{lang|yue-HK|寶翠}}, {{IPA|yue|pǒutsʰɵ̄y|}}, bou2 ceoi3) after The Belcher's, a housing development in the area, as well as Belcher Street and Belcher Bay. Some believed that the MTR Corporation's decision to change the name to "University" was not well consulted within the community, while others worried that it might cause confusion with another existing {{STN|University|x|MTR|University station}} on the {{lnl|MTR|eal}}. Some also suggested "Shek Tong Tsui", after the area the station would serve.

In August 2009, MTR named the station "Hong Kong University".[http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/corporate/file_rep/PR-09-093-E.pdf Construction of the MTR West Island Line Project Commenced], MTR Corporation. The latest revision changed the English name to "HKU",{{cite web|url=http://www.mtr-westislandline.hk/en/home/|title=Official website of West Island Line|publisher=MTR|access-date=9 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225174719/http://www.mtr-westislandline.hk/en/home/|archive-date=25 February 2014|url-status=dead}} the abbreviation of The University of Hong Kong nearby.

The station is located under Pok Fu Lam Road.[http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/projects/images/UNI_entrance.jpg Proposed location of HKU Station], MTR Corporation It has two tracks and one center island platform.{{MTRsource|layout|hku|HKU|10 January 2014}} In addition, the MTR has built elevators to link HKU station to the University of Hong Kong.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtr-westislandline.hk/pdf/multimedia-gallery/press/PR-14-108-E.pdf|title=First MTR Lift-only Entrances at HKU and Sai Ying Pun Stations Provide Convenient Vertical Access|date=19 November 2014|publisher=MTR Corporation}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The HKU station is located at a depth of {{Convert|70|m|ft}}, making it the deepest station in the MTR system upon its opening.{{cite news|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1643932/emergency-refuge-areas-deepest-mtr-stop|title=Emergency 'refuge areas' at deepest MTR stop|date=20 November 2015|work=South China Morning Post|last1=Sung|first1=Timmy|access-date=30 March 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com.hk/big-smog/features/57684/the-mtrs-new-west-island-line.html|title=The MTR's new West Island line|website=TimeOut Hong Kong|access-date=30 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402145310/http://www.timeout.com.hk/big-smog/features/57684/the-mtrs-new-west-island-line.html|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}}

HKU station features designated refuge areas, to which passengers can be evacuated in case of emergency. Refuge areas are pressurised and equipped with fire systems including sprinklers and fire curtains, and independent power supply units. HKU station is the first station in the MTR network to apply such shelter design and the use of lifts to reach safety.

HKU station has six exits.[http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_1532008/EIA%20-%20html/Drawings/FIG%202.4.pdf Site Plan of University Station], West Island Line EIA Reports{{MTRsource|map|hku|HKU|10 January 2014}} As exits A1, A2 and C1 are situated deep underneath Mid-Levels, only express lifts are used to transport passengers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/main/isl_wd_passengerguide.html|title=Extension of Island Line to Western District|publisher=MTR Corporation|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426062508/http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/main/isl_wd_passengerguide.html|archive-date=26 April 2015}} This makes HKU station the first to feature lift-only exits.{{cite web|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=151583&sid=43399036&con_type=1|title=University station will be learning experience|website=The Standard|access-date=30 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402163704/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=151583&sid=43399036&con_type=1|archive-date=2 April 2015}}

Exits A1 and A2 are served by a total of eight lifts with a maximum load of 1,800 kg per lift. Exit C1 is served by four lifts with a capacity of 2,100 kg each.

• A1: Pok Fu Lam Road (near Haking Wong Building), St. Paul's College, St. Stephen's Church College {{access icon|15px|Wheelchair user access}}
• A2: The University of Hong Kong Main Campus, Chow Yei Ching Building, Haking Wong Building {{access icon|15px|Wheelchair user access}}
• B1: Whitty Street, Chong Yip Shopping Centre, Shek Tong Tsui Municipal Services Building
• B2: Hill Road, Hong Kong Plaza, JEN Hong Kong by Shangri-La {{access icon|15px|Wheelchair user access}}
• C1: The Belcher's, Pok Fu Lam Road, The University of Hong Kong Centennial Campus {{access icon|15px|Wheelchair user access}}
• C2: Belcher's Street, Harbour One, The Westwood

HKU Station Concourse Shops 201503.jpg | West Concourse

East shops in HKU Station.jpg | East Concourse

HKU Station entrance and exit A1.JPG | Exit and Entrance A1

HKU Station Exit A2 201412.jpg | Exit and Entrance A2

HKU Station Exit C2 201412.jpg | Exit and Entrance C2

HKU station is proposed to be an interchange station for the Island line and the South Island line (West). The platforms of the South Island line (West) will be built under those of the Island line.

{{Commons category|HKU Station}}

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Category:Railway stations in Hong Kong opened in 2014

Category:MTR stations on Hong Kong Island

Category:Island line (MTR)

Category:West Island line

Category:South Island line (West)

Category:Shek Tong Tsui

Category:Railway stations at university and college campuses