The overall construction cost for the link is estimated to be HK$64.9bn (拢5.2bn) in September 2011 prices. The government aims to secure funding approval from the Legislative Council before the summer recess, to enable the start of works by the middle of this year.
The 17km railway will have 10 stations - Tai Wai, Hin Keng, Diamond Hill, Kai Tak, To Kwa Wan, Ma Tau Wai, Ho Man Tin, Hung Hom, northern Wan Chai and Admiralty.
The Tai Wai to Hung Hom section is due for completion by 2018, with the Hung Hom to Admiralty section set for 2020.
It will link up the existing and future railway lines through the provision of six interchange stations.
The link is expected to carry 1.1 million passengers per day in 2021.
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