HONG KONG, May 2 (Xinhua) -- A commissioning ceremony for the Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) was held on Saturday, marking the completion of the first large-scale transport infrastructure project in Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis. The bypass will officially open to traffic on Sunday morning.

At the ceremony, Bernadette Linn, secretary for development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, said that the opening of the bypass is only the beginning, as the HKSAR government will continue to improve the industrial layout, transport network, and living facilities in the Northern Metropolis.

She stressed that the development of the Northern Metropolis will be aligned with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, highlighting the strategic importance of the Northern Metropolis and creating a better living environment for Hong Kong residents.

The Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section), with a total length of about 4 km, is a dual two-lane carriageway comprising at-grade roads, underpasses, and viaducts. The construction work commenced in phases in February 2020. ■