Director of Highways: mainland standards are applicable to HK
發佈日期: 2025-07-09 20:24
TVB News
The government and the MTR Corporation have agreed on the details of the construction of the Northern Link.
The Highways Department said most of the mainland's standards, practices and resources, are applicable to the project, which could reduce the construction cost of the Northern Link by more than 20 percent.
The MTR's Northern Link will become the mass transportation backbone for the Northern Metropolis.
The main line will run through the metropolis, with five stations from Kam Sheung Road to Kwu Tung.
The cross-border spur line, meanwhile, connects the local MTR network to the new Huanggang Port in Shenzhen.
In view of its cross-boundary elements, the project will adopt mainland standards, practices and resources to improve efficiency.
The Highways Department will work with the Building Technology Research Institute, or BTRi to handle building submissions in a manner which streamlines the overall project workflow and expedites procedures.
Tony Yau, director of the Highways Department said Hong Kong's railway standards are largely influenced by the UK and Europe.
He said mainland standards are even higher and are applicable to Hong Kong, in areas such as concrete and steel structure, signal system and foundation, with adjustment needed in some areas.
He said, "that new standard will incorporate the edge or the good things of the mainland standard. I think the BTRi may invite some specialists or consultants from the mainland to support and interpret the details of the mainland standard."
With the new planning and the use of mainland standards, the construction cost of the Northern Link is expected to be lowered by 20 to 30 percent, with the first part costing around 31.4 billion dollars.
The Highways Department says they will also look into using mainland standards and construction methods in future road development projects in a bid to lower costs and speed up construction.
