TRANSPORT
On the mainland, Route 2 runs from the Kowloon Bay Reclamation, through the Airport Tunnel, via the East and West Kowloon Corridors, Tsuen Wan Road, Tuen Mun Road and Yuen Long Highway, to the junction of San Tin Highway and San Shum Road.
Route 4 runs from Ching Cheung Road, Lung Cheung Road and Kwun Tong to Tseung Kwan O through the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel.
Route 5, another strategic road, is a seven-kilometre, two-way trunk road connecting Sha Tin with Tsuen Wan, via the Cheung Pei Shan Road and the Shing Mun Tunnels. It forms part of the New Territories Circular Road System.
Route 6 covers the Eastern Harbour Crossing, Kwun Tong Bypass, Tate's Cairn Tunnel and the approach road linking Tate's Cairn Tunnel to the Tolo Highway.
Improvements to Major Road Networks
To cater for the traffic demand between Western District and the upgraded Connaught Road, the construction of Belcher Bay Link was completed in 1997. It is a dual carriageway on the new reclamation in Belcher Bay.
To provide a direct access between Kennedy Town and Pok Fu Lam Road, the construction of Smithfield Extension started in February 1995 for completion in early 1998.
The Lung Cheung Road and Ching Cheung Road Improvements started in July 1994 for completion in early 1998. The works include the widening of Ching Cheung Road and the section of Lung Cheung Road between Ching Cheung Road and Lion Rock Tunnel Road from dual, two-lane to dual, three-lane. When completed, it will improve the Route 4 link between East Kowloon and the new airport.
The construction of Hung Hom Bypass and the Princess Margaret Road Link started in March 1996 for completion in early 1999. It will be an elevated highway built on Hung Hom Bay Reclamation, including a 1.3-kilometre Hung Hom Bypass from Salisbury Road to Hung Hom Road and a 1.2-kilometre Princess Margaret Road Link connecting the Hung Hom Bypass to Princess Margaret Road.
To improve cross-boundary traffic and access to the north-western New Territories, the construction of the Country Park Section of Route 3 started in May 1995 under a 'Build, Operate and Transfer' franchise for completion in mid-1998. It will be a dual, three-lane carriageway connecting Ting Kau in Tsuen Wan with Au Tau in Yuen Long.
The construction of the Ting Kau Bridge and the Approach Viaduct started in December 1993 for completion in mid-1998. Lying between the Tai Lam Tunnel and Tsing Yi sections of Route 3, the roads will connect the western New Territories via Tuen Mun Road to the Lantau Link, and the new airport at Chek Lap Kok.
New Airport Access
Work on the major highway projects related to the new airport at Chek Lap Kok and developments along the north-western shore of Lantau was completed and opened to traffic during the year. The projects include the Western Harbour Crossing, the West Kowloon Highway, the Tsing Kwai Highway, the Rambler Channel Bridge, the Cheung Tsing Tunnel, the Lantau Link and the North Lantau Highway.
227