Transport and Logistics Bureau of Hong Kong: Actively promoting the development of strategic transportation infrastructure

On November 15, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics of Hong Kong, Lin Shiping, stated at the Legislative Council meeting that the Hong Kong government is actively promoting the development of strategic transportation infrastructure to meet the transportation and logistics needs of Hong Kong up to 2046 and beyond, implementing the planning principles of "infrastructure first" and "creating capacity". In addition to transportation infrastructure and other hardware support, in order to enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness and support economic and social development, the Hong Kong Transport Department is currently conducting a "Transport Strategic Study" and will release a "Transport Strategic Blueprint" in 2025, aiming to ensure that Hong Kong's overall transportation system continues to be reliable, safe, smart, and environmentally efficient. Regarding local railway projects, the Hong Kong government will continue to progress with several projects in an orderly manner, including the extension of the Tung Chung Line, Siu Ho Wan Station, the extension of the Tuen Mun South Line, and the construction of Kam Sheung Road Station and Hung Shui Kiu Station. These projects will be completed progressively starting from 2027. Meanwhile, at the invitation of the Hong Kong Development Bureau, MTR Corporation (00066) is planning the construction scheme for Pak Shek Kok Station, with the goal of opening the station by 2033 or earlier. In addition, the Hong Kong government will finalize the appropriate technical solution for the South Island Line (West) within this year to meet transportation needs and enhance the technical feasibility and overall cost-effectiveness of the project. In terms of road infrastructure, he stated that the survey and research for the North Metropolis Highway will apply for funding from the Finance Committee as soon as possible, and will continue to actively advance the remaining two projects of Route 6, including the Central Kowloon Route and the T2 trunk road and Chai Wan Tunnel, with the aim of opening the entire line by 2026. At the same time, Hong Kong is currently promoting three smart and green collective transport system projects with full force, aiming to complete the projects as soon as possible. For the projects in Kai Tak and East Kowloon, they are expected to be tendered next year and in 2026, respectively. Regarding the Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen project, relevant suppliers and operators will be invited to submit expressions of interest at a later date, with the aim of tendering for the project within 2026. In terms of the planning of the Northern Metropolis Area, a series of projects proposed in the "Transport Infrastructure Blueprint" are being advanced to enhance the transportation infrastructure network in the area. In terms of railways, the Northern Metropolis Area will establish an east-west main rail backbone, including the main and branch lines of the Northern Link, the eastern extension of the Northern Link, and the Northeast New Territories Line; these railways, along with the East Rail Line and the Tuen Ma Line, will form a circular railway network, unlocking the development potential of the Northern Metropolis Area. The main line of the Northern Link is expected to commence construction next year and be completed by 2034. He mentioned that the cross-border railway projects are also being actively advanced, with the two-stage studies of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Railway (Hung Shui Kiu to Qianhai) already completed, and the Hong Kong and Shenzhen governments are currently cooperating to prepare for the next steps. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is also aiming to reach an agreement with Shenzhen authorities this year on the extension plan for the Northern Link branch line, with MTR Corporation set to start detailed planning and design early next year.