CHAPTER 15 INFRASTRUCTURE
PROJECTS
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EIGHT years of mammoth infrastructure works saw major projects culminate during 1998 and more is to come. The new international airport at Chek Lap Kok has overcome initial problems and is operating at top international standards, while the associated railways, bridges, and expressways are functioning as planned.
An agreement was reached in December that allows the development on Tsing Yi Island of Container Terminal 9 to proceed, and a completely new container port is being planned on Lantau Island. This will offer the potential for four more terminals and over 20 berths and will be one of the world's biggest civil engineering projects — as were the recently completed works.
The Airport Core Programme
The new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok began operations on July 6, thus concluding the 10-project Airport Core Programme (ACP). One of the world's largest infrastructural programmes, the ACP was completed in only eight years; on schedule and within the overall revised estimate of $155.3 billion announced in November 1997.
The other ACP projects comprised the Airport Railway (AR), five road projects including tunnels and bridges running under the harbour from Central District, across the western shore of the Kowloon peninsula, across the islands of Tsing Yi and Ma Wan, and along the North Lantau coast to Chek Lap Kok. Apart from the airport island itself, there were two major land reclamations in West Kowloon and Central; and the new town at Tung Chung, North Lantau was also built largely on reclaimed land.
The new airport was officially opened by President Jiang Zemin and Vice Premier Qian Qichen on July 2. President Jiang was greeted on arrival by representatives of the 18 districts. He unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion. Some 3 000 guests, including ministers, senior officials, representatives of airport authorities, and other dignitaries from the Mainland and over 40 countries attended the opening ceremony and enjoyed a celebration programme.
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, hosted a dinner reception in honour of overseas and Mainland guests on June 30. The Hong Kong Tourist Association organised an evening harbour cruise for them on July 1.
Various public events were also organised from February to July to promote community participation in the ACP. The 'New Airport Marathon' on February 22 attracted more than 1 200 overseas and local runners, and covered the Lantau Link,
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