The Kwun Tong MTR Line extension was gazetted today by the Transport & Housing Bureau, with construction due to start in 2011 for completion by 2015.

The proposed extension will involve a 2.6km underground railway from Yau Ma Tei Station on the existing Kwun Tong Line with two new stations in Ho Man Tin and Whampoa.

Commuters will be able to interchange at the proposed Ho Man Tin Station for the future Sha Tin to Central Link. It would enable them to reach Mong Kok from Ho Man Tin and Whampoa within five minutes, down from more than 25 minutes by using Whampoa-Mong Kok road-based transport during rush hours.

The extension will be implemented as an MTR project under the ownership approach.  The Government will adopt the rail-plus-property model proposing to use the site at Ho Man Tin Station for property development to bridge the funding gap.

While authorisation from Chief Executive in Council is pending, the public can lodge objections to the scheme by January 26.

Click here for details, or call 2762 4030 (Highways Department) or 2189 2133 (Transport & Housing Bureau) for enquiries.