(Policy Address 2023) Govt to publish transport development blueprint by end of this year

The government will publish a transport development blueprint to outline the implementation of all major transport infrastructure, including the enhanced Three Railways and Three Major Roads proposals and new projects of two railways and one major road, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said. 

The Hong Kong Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint will be published by the end of this year, Lee said. 

Sources said the new projects of two railways and one major road will commence after the Three Railways and Three Major Roads proposals have begun. There will only be a timetable after research for land planning is completed. 

The enhanced proposals include the provision of three intermediate stations at Northeast Tsuen Wan, Northeast Kwai Chung and Tsuen King Circuit on the Central Rail Link and transit to the Tsuen Wan Line. 

The new two railways and one major road will be conducive to the development of new towns in the eastern part of the Northern Metropolis. 

The first is extending the Northern Link to Ping Che via Lo Wu South and Man Kam To areas, connecting new development areas and different boundary control points. 

The second is the Northeast New Territories Line, providing a north-south railway from Heung Yuen Wai to Fanling station of the East Rail line, via Ping Che and Queen's Hill areas, linking major development nodes. 

And the third is extending the Northern Metropolis Highway from Fanling North to the east to connect Sha Tau Kok Road Interchange, enhancing east-west connectivity in the New Territories North. 

The government has also decided to implement smart and green mass transit in East Kowloon, Kai Tak and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen. 

The mass transit will connect Kwun Tong uphill areas, including Choi Wan, Shun Lee, Shun On, Sau Mau Ping, Po Tat and Ma Yau Tong, to facilitate access to Choi Hung MTR station and Yau Tong station, improving the overall transportation of East Kowloon and unleashing development potential. 

As for the one in Kai Tak, it will connect the Kai Tak runway area to Kai Tak MTR station to strengthen connections among the residential and commercial developments, including facilities focused on tourism, culture and recreation, sports and the community in general. 

The last one running through Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area and Yuen Long South Development provides connections to the Tuen Ma Line, the Light Rail, and major public transport interchanges.