Editorial | Northern Metropolis rail links must be completed on time as pledged
The adoption of mainland rail standards and other breakthroughs will help, but it’s up to the government and MTR to ensure progress
The first of a two-part deal signed with the Hong Kong government on Tuesday involves HK$39.05 billion in financing from land premiums for the construction of three stations along the Northern Link main line, the design of the spur line, tunnels and other railway facilities. The sites granted at Fanling North, Kwu Tung North and San Tin for residential and commercial development by the urban railway operator will help finance the construction.
Describing the Northern Link as embodying “significant strategic value”, the government said there were breakthroughs that enhanced the project’s speed and efficiency. These include combining the main line and the cross-border spur line as a single project to achieve synergy, leveraging mainland approaches and capabilities to cut costs and accelerate project delivery, and adopting mainland standards in construction to improve efficiency. The aim is to commission the two lines together by 2034 – two years earlier than previously envisaged – or earlier.
For an infrastructural project of such a scale, the commitment to deliver it two years earlier is as significant as it is challenging. This is even more so considering the delays and cost overruns in previous major railway projects.
The Highways Department will set up a dedicated team to handle building submissions to streamline workflow and expedite procedures. It said mainland construction standards are already among the most advanced in the world and largely applicable in Hong Kong, though some adjustments will have to be made to take into account the city’s typhoon-prone weather and geological conditions. It’s worth noting that the mainland is a global leader in high-speed rail technology.