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"These will offer our community, as well as our overseas friends, a prime opportunity to have first experience of the Lantau Link, either by running or walking across it," she said.
Turning to the progress of the ACP as a whole, Mrs Chan said that about 76 per cent of the programme had been completed at the end of January this year.
Not only was there no programme delay, the Government had twice been able to reduce the overall outturn budget by a total of $7,366 million, thus reducing the total estimated cost from $163,730 million in December 1993 to the present estimate of $156,364 million.
This was made possible principally as a result of rigorous cost control and Hong Kong's open and non-discriminatory tender system which encouraged international participation and ensured fair play and "value for money".
In conclusion, Mrs Chan said that while the Government was planning for the smooth opening and efficient operation of the ACP transport corridor and the reclamation works, it would not loose sight of the important mission of completing the new airport in April 1998 and the Airport Railway soon after.
After unveiling a commemorative plaque and dotting the lion's eyes, Mrs Chan was driven away in car in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Highways, Mr K. S. Leung, said that apart from forming a key part of the ACP transport corridor, the West Kowloon Expressway and the Kwai Chung Viaduct were important sections of the new strategic Route 3 which would provide a direct link to the northwest New Territories and the border with China.
Locally, the two new roads will provide a direct road link between Kwai Chung and South Kowloon and will relieve existing traffic congestion on Kwai Chung Road and in West Kowloon.
End