This photo taken from the official website of the Hong Kong SAR government's Civil Engineering and Development Department shows an aerial view of Tung Chung New Town, Hong Kong.

HONG KONG – The MTR Corporation said it will go ahead with detailed planning and design of the Tung Chung Line Extension project following consent by the Chief Executive in Council, according to a press release issued by the rail operator on Tuesday.

Construction is expected to commence in 2023, the MTR said in the press release.

The Tung Chung Line Extension Project will benefit incumbent and future residents on North Lantau by improving the accessibility and providing railway connectivity to the core of Hong Kong

Jacob Kam, CEO, MTR Corp

The Tung Chung Line extension project comprises three parts — a new intermediate Tung Chung East Station between Sunny Bay Station and Tung Chung Station, an extension of the existing Tung Chung Line to a new terminal station at Tung Chung West, and the Airport Railway extended overrun tunnel (remaining section), the MTR said in the press release.

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The newly-added Tung Chung East Station will be a key component of the transport infrastructure to support the Tung Chung New Town Extension (East) development. Tung Chung West Station, located west of the existing Yat Tung Estate, will serve incumbent residents and potential housing developments nearby, according to the rail operator.

"The Tung Chung Line Extension Project will benefit incumbent and future residents on North Lantau by improving the accessibility and providing railway connectivity to the core of Hong Kong. Together with the existing Tung Chung Station, the three stations in Tung Chung will also form an important transport infrastructure serving the community of the expanded Tung Chung New Town with due consideration of government’s land and housing supply program," said Jacob Kam Chak-pui, Chief Executive Officer of the MTR Corporation, in the press release.

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In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s government said the Tung Chung New Town Extension is one of the important, medium-to-long term sources of land supply to meet Hong Kong's housing, economic and social needs, adding the Tung Chung Line extension will support the sustainable growth in population and employment opportunities in the area.

Construction of the two stations and railways is expected to complete by 2029 while the Airport Railway extended overrun tunnel is targeted for completion by 2032, the government said.