Hong Kong authorities expect the eastern section of the HK$7 billion (US$893 million) Fanling Bypass, which opens to traffic on Sunday, will prevent congestion ahead of residents moving into a nearby new development area later this year.

At the opening ceremony on Saturday, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said the 4km (2.49 miles) dual two-lane carriageway was completed just in time to support the Fanling North New Development Area, which is set to welcome its first public housing tenants by the end of 2026.

Linn, alongside several lawmakers, also rode on an open-top bus to test the new bypass connecting the Fanling Highway to the development area.

The minister described the bypass, which opens at 8am on Sunday, as a critical step in the government’s “infrastructure-led” strategy and an important milestone in the development of the Northern Metropolis megaproject.

“We needed to complete this bypass in advance so that the incoming population moving into the new Fanling North community will have convenient travel from day one,” she said.

“By planning ahead, we are preventing the population influx from overloading nearby traffic. This bypass holds immediate significance for both the present and the future.”

Motorists can travel between Fanling Lung Yeuk Tau, Luen Wo Hui and Fanling Highway via the new road without passing through the busy town centres of Sheung Shui and Fanling, saving about 10 minutes of travel time during peak hours.