Government to build 'grand' railway and major road network in new Transport blueprint

The blueprint addresses population, travel demand, and tech growth.

The government will build a more comprehensive railway and major road network, forming the "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" grand layout layout, under its new Transport blueprint. 

This will be complemented with the construction of a new Transport Interchange Hubs, which will feature efficient public transport and hub nodes at strategic locations.

These proposal forms part of the Transport Strategy Blueprint, which outlined six strategies and 25 recommendations for transport development over the next two decades, a press release said.

The document reflects population trends, travel demands, and technological growth, with its implementation supporting the movement of people and goods within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.

Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport & Logistics, said the blueprint sets short-, medium-, and long-term objectives for economic growth and passenger convenience, with the government scheduling 10 measures for implementation this year.

The plan features three key themes: “Enjoyable Journeys,” “Well-connected City,” and “Healthy Mobility.”

The Enjoyable Journeys theme focuses on public transport policy and infrastructure to link economic centres in Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories, improving travel experiences whilst driving economic development.

The Well-connected City theme applies technology to traffic management, incorporating artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicle development, and transport data sharing. This theme introduces demand-responsive public transport services.

The Healthy Mobility theme promotes walking, cycling, and electric mobility devices in urban planning, supporting green travel modes whilst enhancing the pedestrian environment.