Hong Kong’s Highways Department (HyD) has signed a design and construction consultancy agreement with the AECOM Asia Company Limited and AtkinsRealis Asia Limited Joint Venture for the Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section) to commence critical tasks, including the preparation of reference design and tender documents for the project – marking an important  step towards the construction stage. The signing ceremony was held on 11 June 2026.

The team formed by the joint venture (JV) also comprises Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute (Group) Co Ltd, Mannings (Asia) Consultants Limited, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and members from various other disciplines. Leveraging successful experiences from local and international projects, the JV will refine the design of the project, further improving its overall cost-effectiveness and construction efficiency.

The Northern Metropolis Highway (NMH) is the largest single road project currenly being undertaken in Hong Kong, which spans approximately 24 km in total length. The HyD began the investigation study for the entire NMH in March 2025 and has given priority to advancing the approximately 9 km-long San Tin Section in accordance with the principle of ‘Holistic Planning and Phased Implementation’.

Since the investigation study began last year, the project team has collaborated closely with relevant government departments to complete a series of key activities, including the optimisation of the NMH alignment within three months as planned and subsequent endorsement by the project steering group; the completion of the environmental impact assessment for the San Tin Section, including a 12-month ecological survey covering both dry and wet seasons; and the completion of public consultation exercises, followed by the gazettal of the road scheme for the San Tin Section in line with statutory procedures.

A spokesman for the HyD said, “To tie in with the development of San Tin Technopole and Ngau Tam Mei area, we will accord priority to taking forward the San Tin Section of the NMH, with the target of achieving the technical readiness for tendering next year. Furthermore, we plan to widely adopt the design and build procurement approach for the works contracts, enabling contractors to concurrently commence detailed design and advance works, and to leverage their technical expertise with greater flexibility, with a view to further accelerating the construction programme and reducing the cost.

“We have also maintained close communications with the construction industry, including local and international contractors and professional bodies, to harness industry expertise in refining the design and introducing innovative technologies, thereby further enhancing cost-effectiveness of the project. With the optimised alignment and the contract procurement approach, we are confident that the San Tin Section can be commissioned ahead of the original target of 2036.”

All images: The Highways Department of Hong Kong