TRANSPORT
from the new airport. Running at a maximum speed of 135 kilometres per hour, the AEL carried about 22 000 passengers each day in 1998 with a journey time of about 23 minutes. It is the world's first purpose-built railway serving an airport with in- town check-in facilities. The Tung Chung Line (TCL) provides commuter services between Tung Chung new town and the urban areas. The TCL carried 110 000 passengers daily in 1998 with interchange facilities with other MTR lines at Hong Kong and Lai King.
New Railway Projects
After the completion of airport related transport network, the government is embarking on the planning and implementation of five new railway projects. Total investment in these projects amounts to some $120 billion. They are:
The 30.5-kilometre West Rail (Phase I), that connects West Kowloon and Tuen Mun via Yuen Long. Construction started in October 1998 for completion by the end of 2003;
The 12.5-kilometre Tseung Kwan O Extension, that extends the MTR from Lam Tin to Tseung Kwan O. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2002;
The 11.4-kilometre Ma On Shan to Tai Wai rail link, that connects the existing KCR Tai Wai station and Lee On in the Ma On Shan new town;
The 1.5-kilometre Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) Extension, that extends the KCR from the existing Hung Hom terminus to a new station in TST East. Construction is expected to start in 2000 for completion in 2004; and
The 7.5-kilometre Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau spur line, that will connect the KCR at Sheung Shui with a new passenger rail boundary crossing at Lok Ma Chau. The government has invited the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation to prepare detailed proposals for implementing the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2004.
The Second Railway Development Study
The Second Railway Development Study (RDS-2) began in March. It aims to formulate a clear, coherent and comprehensive strategy for the provision of an integrated and environmentally friendly rail system to sustain the economic, social, land and housing developments of Hong Kong in the years ahead. New projects to be examined in the RDS-2 include the West Rail (Phase II), the East Kowloon Line, a fourth cross-harbour rail link, the North Hong Kong Island Line, a second connection from the Ma On Shan railway to the urban areas and the West Hong Kong Island Line. The study will be completed in September 1999, with interim recommendations on the most urgent projects before then.
Road Projects Under Construction
The construction of the Hung Hom Bypass and Princess Margaret Road Link started in March 1996. This will connect Hung Hom and Tsim Sha Tsui East with a system of elevated roads linking with Princess Margaret Road and Chatham Road. Upon its completion in 1999, the strategic link will provide access to the developments in the Hung Hom Bay reclamation and relieve traffic congestion at the Cross-Harbour Tunnel approach road.
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