The Hong Kong Chief Executive in Council has approved a $28.1bn road project which involves construction of the Central-Wan Chai bypass and Island Eastern Corridor link project.

The project includes building a 4.5km dual three-lane carriageway trunk road, which includes a 3.7km tunnel on the planned highway running along the northern part of Hong Kong Island.

The tunnel road will link the Rumsey Street Flyover in Central and the Island Eastern Corridor in North Point.

The trunk road will act as an alternative to the congested Connaught Road Central / Harcourt Road / Gloucester Road Corridor of Hong Kong Island.

The Hong Kong Government will seek funds from the Public Works Sub-committee and Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.

Construction is expected to start by end of 2009 and will be complete in early 2017.