The Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass will open on December 21 after an eight-year construction period.

Chief Executive John Lee made the announcement on Tuesday as he delivered the opening remarks at the International Railway Safety Council held in Wan Chai.

"It's a dual, three-lane, 4.7-kilometre carriageway designed to bypass congested transport corridors and reduce peak-hour journey time between Yau Ma Tei and Kowloon Bay from 30 minutes to just five, thereby enhancing the entire transit system," he said.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau said in a statement that the carriageway, made up of a 3.9-kilometre tunnel section, will shorten commutes in Kowloon, by easing the burden on major east-west corridors such as Lung Cheung Road, Prince Edward Road West and Boundary Street.

Neighbouring areas such as Wong Tai Sin will also benefit, the bureau added.

"The Highways Department and its contractors are now at the final stage of works, including conducting final tests on systems and relevant drills. The department is also working with different departments and agencies, including the tunnel management company, to prepare for the commissioning of relevant road sections," the statement read.