'Six new road, rail projects to drive HK development'
Chief Executive John Lee announced in his maiden Policy Address on Wednesday that he will continue to boost Hong Kong’s development capacity by speeding up the construction of transport infrastructure.  He said he plans to take forward three major road projects and three strategic railway projects, that had earlier been recommended in the government's 'Strategic Studies on Railways and Major Roads beyond 2030'.  “The projects will bring about a highly inter-connected and accessible road network and rail system, and vigorously drive and support future development of Hong Kong,” Lee said.  The CE said the road projects include the construction of a Northern Metropolis Highway to link Tin Shui Wai and Kwu Tung North; as well as the Shatin Bypass – a new trunk road connecting Tai Po and Kowloon West.  Authorities will also work on building a third tunnel between Tseung Kwan O and Yau Tong to facilitate access to the area.  On railway development, Lee said authorities are looking to construct a new Central Rail Link to connect Kam Tin in Yuen Long with Kowloon Tong via Kwai Chung to alleviate the pressure on the Tuen Ma Line.  Plans are also in the pipeline to build the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link to connect Hung Shui Kiu with Qianhai, in order to promote connectivity and integration with the Greater Bay Area.  Another project would be to extend the current TKO Line southwards to TKO Area 137, which the government hopes to further develop, alongside the neighbouring landfill.  “We will continue to take forward other railway projects in the Northern Metropolis. Kwu Tung Station of the Northern Link will be commissioned in 2027, and the construction works for Hung Shui Kiu Station and the Northern Link Main Line will commence within the current-term of the government,” Lee added.  “We will also expedite the implementation of a number of road infrastructure projects under planning, including Route 11, Tsing Yi-Lantau Link and Tuen Mun Bypass, as well as improvements to Lion Rock Tunnel.”