Transport 267
The two-kilometre Eastern Harbour Crossing was opened in 1989. It links Quarry Bay on Hong Kong Island and Cha Kwo Ling in Kowloon. A daily average of 73 500 vehicles used the tunnel. Tolls ranged from $8 to $45.
The two-kilometre Western Harbour Crossing is the first six-lane cross-harbour road tunnel in Hong Kong. Opened in 1997, it links Sai Ying Pun on Hong Kong Island and the West Kowloon Reclamation near Yau Ma Tei in Kowloon. It was used by an average of 39 200 vehicles daily. Statutory tolls ranged from $30 to $185. The tunnel company offers concessionary tolls and the actual tolls ranged from $22 to $110.
The four-kilometre Tate's Cairn Tunnel, the longest road tunnel in Hong Kong, was opened in 1991, providing an additional direct road link between the north- eastern New Territories and Kowloon. It was used by an average of 61 100 vehicles daily. Tolls ranged from $10 to $20.
The 3.8-kilometre Tai Lam Tunnel and the 6.3-kilometre Yuen Long Approach Road form Route 3 (Country Park section), which extends from Ting Kau to Au Tau. Opened in May 1998, it was used by an average of 45 400 vehicles daily. Statutory tolls ranged from $20 to $90. The tunnel company offers concessionary tolls and the actual tolls ranged from $17 to $75.
The 2.4-kilometre Discovery Bay Tunnel Link, which comprises a 630-metre single tube two-way tunnel and a 1 770-metre approach road, is operated and maintained by the Discovery Bay Road Tunnel Company Limited, which also built it. It extends from Discovery Bay through Yi Pak Au to Cheung Tung Road. The tunnel link is only open to vehicles providing goods or services to Discovery Bay residents. Opened in May 2000, the tunnel link was used by an average of 800 vehicles daily. It has a one- way toll collection arrangement. Vehicles are charged a single journey toll when they enter Discovery Bay. The tolls ranged from $50 to $250.
The Government owns seven of the road tunnels (Lion Rock, Aberdeen, Airport, Shing Mun, Tseung Kwan O, Cheung Tsing and Cross-Harbour), which are managed and operated by private companies under management contracts. Tolls are set and monitored by the Government. Use of the Airport Tunnel and Cheung Tsing Tunnel is free of charge.
• The 1.4-kilometre Lion Rock Tunnel, linking Kowloon and Sha Tin, began single- tube operation in 1967, with a second tube added in 1978. The tunnel was used by 87 700 vehicles daily. The toll was $8.
• The 1.9-kilometre Aberdeen Tunnel, opened in 1982, links the northern and southern parts of Hong Kong Island. It was used by 57 600 vehicles daily. The toll was $5.
• The 1.3-kilometre toll-free Airport Tunnel between Hung Hom and Kowloon Bay passes under the former airport site at Kai Tak and was opened in 1982. It was used by 59 100 vehicles daily.