US$ 10 billion Hong Kong rail project agreed

The Hong Kong Government has reached a deal with the city-state's rail operator MTU Corp for the construction and commissioning of a new rail link costing HK$ 79.8 billion (US$ 10 billion).

Construction on the new, 17 km north-south rail corridor is expected to start this year, and it will be built in two sections. Overall, the Shatin to Central Link will comprise ten stations and six new interchanges connecting the New Territories with Hong Kong Island.

The 11 km Tai Wai to Hung Hom section is expected to be completed in 2018, while the 6 km Hung Hom to Admiralty Section is expected to be completed in 2020.

The second section will take longer as it is planned to connect with other infrastructure projects in Hong Kong, including the Wan Chai Development Phase II land reclamation project. This will form new land along the existing coastline at Wan Chai North and North Point.

The second section will also interface with the planned Central-Wan Chai bypass road, which will form part of a new, 4.5 km east-west route along the north coast of Hong Kong Island.