Hong Kong transport chiefs want HK$262 million for planning and design of new rail link
- Transport and Logistics Bureau say 7km link in East Kowloon will be needed to cope with anticipated increase in demand for transport over next few years
Hong Kong transport chiefs are to ask for more than HK$262 (US$33.5 million) to pay for the planning and design of a proposed East Kowloon railway line with the possibility of a funding model based on property development along the route.
A paper submitted to the Legislative Council’s public works committee on Wednesday showed a 7km (4.3 mile) “smart and green mass transit system” in the area, including a 1km tunnel and eight stations, between Choi Hung East and Yau Tong East.
“We need to provide a convenient and fast smart and green mass transit system for the more than 300,000 residents in the uphill areas to connect to the existing railway network and to facilitate the commuting of the public to and from different areas of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island,” the Transport and Logistics Bureau document said.
The plan also involve the construction of pedestrian linkages and a depot at the planned Ma Yau Tong station, as well as the tunnel section in Lam Tin North.
The bureau said it aimed to complete the work by 2033, which includes determining alignment and station locations for the project, as well as an assessment of the environmental impact and the effects on transport in the area and cultural heritage.
Officials added the densely populated northern uphill areas of Kwun Tong had heavy road traffic and, as housing developments in the area were completed, pressure on transport links was expected to increase.
The railway line would run from Choi Hung East, near the existing Choi Hung MTR station, and travel through Choi Wan, Shun Lee, Shun On, Sau Mau Ping, Po Tat and Ma Yau Tong to Yau Tong East near the present Yau Tong MTR station.
Suppliers and operators will be invited to submit expressions of interest in the second half of this year if Legco’s finance committee approves the funding.
Authorities said they would also examine ways to fund the scheme, including the “rail plus property” model used on other railway projects.
The funding method involves the development of residential properties along the route to generate profits to underwrite railway construction costs and also create future demand for rail services from new residents.
Officials said they would put the construction work out to tender in 2026 and award the contract in 2027.
The study and design work, including a financial assessment, tendering, tender evaluation and award of the contract, is estimated to be completed within three and a half years, with the aim of project completion by 2033.
Ngan Man-yu, a lawmaker, said that the government should abandon the section of tunnel in the northern part of Lam Tin to speed up completion of the project because that would eliminate the need for tunnel blasting and consolidation work.
He added the funding asked for was for study and design work only, not to help fund construction of the rail project.
Ngan added he hoped the “rail plus property” approach would be used to help pay for the project, rather than dipping into public funds.
The Legco subcommittee will discuss the project again next Wednesday.
