Hong Kong authorities reveal transport plans for Lantau Tomorrow Vision while brushing off concerns of difficulties
- Government looks into creating interchange railway station at Kennedy Town which would link Hong Kong Island west with artificial islands
- Authorities express confidence in reclamation project saying depth has never been a problem before
An extra interchange station could be created in Kennedy Town to link artificial islands off the coast of Lantau with Hong Kong Island, city authorities revealed on Thursday as they brushed aside concerns that the ambitious reclamation plans would be difficult to accomplish.
Director of Civil Engineering and Development Michael Fong Hok-shing expressed his confidence in building the Kau Yi Chau islands after concern groups warned the reclamation project with a depth of more than six metres could face technical difficulties that would lead to delays and cost overruns.
“We are confident because the Hong Kong government has successfully accomplished many reclamation projects. Depth was never a problem,” Fong said after launching an exhibition introducing the project to the public on Thursday.
The three artificial islands in Kau Yi Chau are part of the government’s mega project “Lantau Tomorrow Vision”. The project, costing HK$580 billion (US$73.8 billion), aims to reclaim 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of land during its first phase and build 210,000 living spaces over the next two decades.
Fong revealed on Thursday that the government was looking into creating a new interchange railway station at Kennedy Town – on top of the original HKU station nearby – which would link Hong Kong Island west with the artificial islands and Hung Shui Kiu in Yuen Long.