Kai Tak rail line may link to other districts
The Kai Tak development will be served by an elevated rail line that will offer an internal transport system as well as connect to future MTR stations and possibly to nearby neighbourhoods.
The government is assessing several routes for the rail system to be built on the 320-hectare site, which will contain a cruise terminal, residential, commercial and community facilities.
John Chai Sung-veng, director of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, said yesterday it would connect to the Kai Tak and To Kwa Wan stations of the MTR's Sha Tin-Central link. 'We are also studying whether it is possible to extend it to the surrounding old districts, including San Po Kong, Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong,' he said.
Patrick Kwong Hing-ip, project manager of the department's Kowloon development office, said it would be a challenge, because the areas were packed with buildings and streets were narrow.
The government has studied projects in Sydney, Singapore, Tokyo, Vancouver and Miami.
It found that while such systems cost billions to build, they also stimulate redevelopment and increase tourist appeal. Private vehicles will be discouraged in the Kai Tak development, which will be completed in three phases in 2013, 2016 and 2021.
Meanwhile, Chai said the department would complete landslide prevention works at some 4,600 high-risk man-made slopes by the end of this year.
