{"data":{"news":{"items":[{"title":"First major transport infrastructure milestone for Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis","date":"2026-05-21 15:46:21","id":6293,"author":"","blurb":"","blurb_image_uid":"https://dxfpracgmlczp.cloudfront.net/2026/05/1779349636389_S960 Footbridge at Lung Yeuk Tau Interchange copy.jpg","blurb_expanded_image_uid":null,"article":"\n\t\n\n\n

AECOM has played a significant role in the development of the Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section), the first major transport infrastructure in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis (NM). The project was officially commissioned on 3 May 2026, following the opening ceremony on 2 May.

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The approximately 4-km, dual two-lane carriageway serves as a primary distributor linking the Fanling North New Development Area to Fanling Highway. The bypass is expected to ease congestion in Fanling town centre, strengthen regional connectivity across the NM, and support a planned population of around 95,100 residents in the Fanling North New Development Area. Travel times during peak hours are reduced by up to 10 minutes.

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Engineering achievements

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The project showcases several engineering innovations, including:

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Hong Kong’s first horizontal bridge rotation, used to position a 140-m-long, 7,000-t bridge over the East Rail Line in a single overnight operation, which shortened the construction period by around 12 months.
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The world’s first structural application of ultra-high-strength S960 steel in footbridges, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 2,400 t of CO2.
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AECOM delivered multidisciplinary consultancy services for the first phase and remaining phase development of the Kwu Tung North and Fanling North New Development Areas. The team applied advanced digital and construction technologies – such as 4D BIM, LiDAR and AI-assisted monitoring – alongside prefabrication methods supported by robotic welding and 3D swept path analysis to improve safety, quality and delivery speed.

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One of the project’s most complex challenges was constructing a vehicular bridge across the active East Rail Line while navigating extensive facilities, including large-diameter water mains, high-voltage underground power cables and an existing footbridge. To overcome this, the team implemented an innovative horizontal rotation technique – a first for Hong Kong – constructing the bridge adjacent to the alignment before rotating it into position overnight. This method minimised disruption to rail operations and enhanced overall safety.

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Innovation also extended to the development of two new footbridges, including Footbridge F6 at Lung Yeuk Tau Interchange – the first structural application of ultra-high-strength S960 steel.

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Drawing on experience from the project, AECOM contributed to a series of technical guidelines – namely the ‘Practice Notes on Horizontal Bridge Rotation Method for Viaduct Construction Across Existing Railway Lines’, ‘Technical Guidance on the Structural Design of Plate Girder Structures using Ultra-High-Strength S960 Steel’ and ‘Technical Guidelines for Robotic Welding Operations of Structural Steel in Construction’ – published by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD). These guidelines are setting new benchmarks to advance safe, efficient and innovative construction practices across Hong Kong and beyond.

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The Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) highlights how innovation and cross-sector collaboration can accelerate the safe and sustainable delivery of complex infrastructure, supporting the long-term development of Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis.

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“This milestone demonstrates the power of collaboration across government, industry, academia and research,” said Dr Johnny Cheuk, AECOM’s Hong Kong executive leader. “We are proud to contribute to a project that reflects Hong Kong’s Construction 2.0 vision while supporting the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan – bringing advanced engineering solutions and high-quality ‘Made in China’ materials to both Hong Kong and the global stage.”

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On 3 October 2025, MTR Corporation held a ceremony to officially launch the Northern Link project – a major railway infrastructure in Hong Kong that will form the backbone of mass transportation in the Northern Metropolis development, connecting the East Rail Line and Tuen Ma Line, as well as establishing a rail link to Shenzhen’s Huanggang Port. The event took place at the Shui Mei Road project site in Yuen Long, the location of the first large-scale tunnel boring machine (TBM) launching shaft for this Northern Link project.

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Following the recent signing of the Northern Link (Part 1) project agreement, MTR is progressing at full speed with the construction works of the Northern Link Main Line, as well as the detailed planning and design for the Northern Link Spur Line. Hong Kong’s Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mable Chan, highlighted the importance of this new railway network: “The Northern Link is not only a landmark infrastructure project in the Northern Metropolis but also a transport artery connecting the population across the area, providing vital support for development.”

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“The Main Line of the Northern Link will become the public transport backbone for multiple new development zones in the Northern Metropolis, and, together with the existing East Rail Line and Tuen Ma line, will form a loop railway connecting the New Territories and Kowloon urban area. This will significantly enhance the railway network’s coverage and resilience,” she explained. “The Spur Line will connect to the new Huanggang Port, providing a convenient ‘co-location arrangement’ immigration clearance mode, linking Hong Kong and Shenzhen’s metro networks.”

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Dr Rex Auyeung, chairman of MTR Corporation, added, “The Northern Metropolis is a new growth engine for Hong Kong’s future economic development, and rail remains the city’s efficient and reliable public transport backbone. The Northern Link will not only greatly enhance accessibility within the Northern Metropolis but also deepen Hong Kong’s cross-boundary connections with the mainland.

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“Among the multiple railway projects in the Northern Metropolis, construction at Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line and Hung Shui Kiu Station on the Tuen Ma Line is progressing well. [MTR] Corporation will adopt innovative technologies and efficient project management to drive the Northern Link project forward, towards the target for the synchronised opening of both the Main Line and Spur Line by no later than 2034.”

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Out of the many railway projects MTR is currently constructing, the Northern Link is the largest in scale. The Northern Link Main Line will connect the East Rail Line and Tuen Ma Line, while the Spur Line will provide direct rail access to Shenzhen’s Huanggang Port, becoming Hong Kong’s third direct cross-boundary railway link. The project must overcome various challenges, including difficult geology, proximity to multiple new development areas, and proximity of the existing railway facilities when building interchange stations.

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MTR and the Hong Kong Government are collaborating closely to advance the Main Line and Spur Line works, maximising synergy and simultaneously progressing the detailed planning and design for the Spur Line, aiming for the synchronised opening of both lines by no later than 2034.

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Under the Northern Link (Part 1) project agreement, MTR is currently advancing certain Main Line construction works, including Kwu Tung, Au Tau and Kam Sheung Road stations; the tunnels from Kwu Tung to San Tin, and Au Tau to Kam Sheung Road and related railway facilities. The Shui Mei Road construction site marks the first TBM launching shaft, signalling the official commencement of the major works of the project.

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Image: MTR Corporation

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AECOM has been selected in a joint venture by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) of the Hong Kong Government for the design and construction of Package 3 of the first phase development of the New Territories North – San Tin / Lok Ma Chau Development Node. This project is a cornerstone of the Northern Metropolis, a major new development in Hong Kong that will support approximately 2.5 million people and advance economic growth, innovation and technology, and sustainable urban development.

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AECOM will provide a comprehensive range of services for Package 3 in its joint venture with AtkinsRéalis, including design, tender and construction supervision, site formation and other engineering infrastructure works, urban-rural integration, nature-based solutions (NbS), open space design and landscaping, digital solutions, and environmental monitoring and mitigation. With completion targeted for 2038, the approximately 190-ha development is designed to support the innovation and technology industry, housing, community and commercial spaces.

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For this project, AECOM aims to optimise land use by balancing modern development with nature and cultural conservation. The design emphasises urban-rural integration and nature-positive infrastructure, featuring new and environmentally restored open spaces, revitalised rivers, a cultural and recreational complex for the community, and a landscaped deck for pedestrians and cyclists, all designed with climate resilience and innovative construction methodologies in mind.

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To align with the government’s Smart City strategy, AECOM will take the lead in the development and implementation of a unified digital twin platform for the entire San Tin Technopole project to support efficient planning and delivery. The platform will enhance visualisation of digital model outcomes and develop digital services for data depository in infrastructure design, in alignment with the government’s initiatives like Common Spatial Data Infrastructure (CSDI) and Integrated Capital Works Platform (iCWP).

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AECOM’s work on this project builds on the successful progress of Package 1, which involves design and project supervision services for a 250-ha portion of San Tin. Additionally, AECOM has been selected to conduct the investigation study for Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park, a 348-ha site northwest of San Tin Technopole and the first wetland conservation park in Hong Kong planned under the government’s Northern Metropolis development strategy.

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“With our expanded role in the San Tin Technopole project, AECOM will bring together an integrated, multi-disciplinary team to deliver technical excellence, digitalised solutions and nature-positive approaches to create a world-class, community-focused innovation and technology hub,” said Ian Chung, chief executive of AECOM’s Asia region.

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Image: AECOM

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