LCQ9: Tuen Mun South Extension railway project
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Question:
The Government indicated in October last year that it had assessed the proposal on the Tuen Mun South Extension railway project submitted by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) at the end of 2016, and planned to request MTRCL to commence the detailed planning and design for the project in the coming year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the latest progress of the railway project and its latest estimated cost, and how that amount compares with the originally projected amount;
(2) of the approach to be adopted by the Government for consulting the public on the proposed alignment of the railway project and on the proposals for adding en route stations; and
(3) of the expected timing for announcing the details of the railway project (including the works commencement date)?
Reply:
President,
My reply to the Hon Holden Chow's question is as follows:
The Transport and Housing Bureau had invited the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) to submit a proposal for the implementation of the Tuen Mun South Extension project under the Railway Development Strategy 2014 (RDS-2014). The MTRCL had already submitted a proposal for the project to the Government. Upon receipt of the MTRCL’s proposal, relevant bureaux/departments have evaluated the proposal and requested the MTRCL to provide additional information and supplement details.
Having examined the proposal submitted by the MTRCL and considered the urgency of and the land development potential that may be brought about by the project, the Chief Executive indicated in the 2019 Policy Address that the Government would invite the MTRCL to commence the detailed planning and design for Tuen Mun South Extension in the coming year, so that work on this railway project can commence as early as possible. We are undertaking the Tuen Mun South Extension project based on this schedule.
As stated in RDS-2014, the figures of preliminary cost estimates were only indicative and would need to be revised based on in-depth studies to be carried out at the detailed planning stage for the individual railway schemes. The cost estimates of a railway would be updated in the course of the planning and design of the project. We will release relevant updated information in the detailed planning and design stage of Tuen Mun South Extension. Meanwhile, we will also further ascertain the cost estimates having regard to the detailed design as well as any material change in development parameters.
When the details of a proposed railway scheme, such as the alignment, location of station(s) and implementation timetable, are available, the Government will consult the public, including the Legislative Council and the relevant District Council(s), in line with established procedures.
Ends/Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Issued at HKT 14:00
Issued at HKT 14:00
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