Hong Kong accelerates Northern Metropolis roads but transport gaps remain
Hong Kong is bringing forward major road projects serving the Northern Metropolis, including the San Tin highway section and Tsing Lung Bridge. Officials aim to support new university and technology developments, but transport expert Michael Tien and lawmaker Mark Chong warn that buses, rail and phased road openings will be needed before the full network is complete.
Hong Kong is accelerating construction of key roads serving the Northern Metropolis, bringing the planned completion of the San Tin section of the Northern Metropolis Highway forward to 2034 and targeting 2033 for the Tsing Lung Bridge, according to government sources cited by the South China Morning Post. The Northern Metropolis is a planned 30,000-hectare area along the Shenzhen border that the government intends to develop as a new economic and housing centre. Its proposed highway will form an east-to-west road spine linking innovation, technology and residential areas, including Kwu Tung North, Ngau Tam Mei and the San Tin Technopole.
The highway is expected to be 24km long, with the San Tin section covering 9km. A source said the acceleration would partly rely on measures including slope stabilisation. The source also said the planned tunnel within the San Tin section had been reduced from 5km to 2.5km.
Authorities are also pushing forward the Tsing Lung Bridge at the southern end of Route 11. Its earlier opening is intended to handle greater vehicle flows between the Northern Metropolis and southern parts of Hong Kong, the report said. However, former lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun warned that transport infrastructure could lag behind developments such as the Hung Shui Kiu University Town.
Land for that project is expected to be allocated within months, allowing the first institutions to establish campuses in time for the 2027-28 academic year. Tien said early users might have to depend on buses or private cars and urged the government to proceed with the proposed Central Rail Link. The roughly 17km line would connect Kam Tin in Yuen Long with Kowloon Tong through Kwai Chung.
Lawmaker Mark Chong Ho-fung said students and technology companies could reach San Tin before the highway is fully operational. He called for high-frequency express buses linking the area with Sheung Shui, Lok Ma Chau and Kam Sheung Road stations, as well as dedicated bus lanes on San Tin Highway and Castle Peak Road. Chong also urged the government to open completed sections in stages rather than wait until 2034.
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