XN000022-1995-02-17 — Page 3

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Franchise for Tai Lam Tunnel & Yuen Long Approach Road sections of Route 3

The Government will grant a "Build, Operate and Transfer" (BOT) franchise for the Tai Lam Tunnel and Yuen Long Approach Road sections of Route 3 to the Route 3 (CPS) Company Limited subject to the necessary legislation by the Legislative Council.

The Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, today (Friday) said the road was a significant infrastructure project which will involve the building of a more than 10 kilometres dual-three expressway connecting Au Tau with the Ting Kau Bridge.

"The project will provide a much improved road access from the border to the container port and the urban area; and enhance further development of North West New Territories."

"It will greatly relieve traffic congestion on Tuen Mun Road and the vicinity.

"It is estimated that travelling time from Ting Kau to Yuen Long will take less than 10 minutes via the new expressway," he noted.

Mr Barma said under the proposed BOT franchise, the Route 3 (CPS) Company will be required to design, construct and operate the 3.8 kilometres Tai Lam Tunnel and 6.3 kilometres Yuen Long Approach Road, and ancillary works such as road interchanges and the toll plaza.

"The franchise to be granted to the company will last 30 years and at the end of the franchise period, the tunnel and the approach road will be transferred to the

Government at no cost," he said.

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He said the package was a good deal for the public since road-users could benefit from the project at the earliest possible time and at the lowest cost.

Mr Barma pointed out that the budgeted project cost of $7,254 million submitted by Route 3 (CPS) Company was the lowest amongst the three tenderers.

"The company also offered the shortest construction period of 38 months while the technical and financial aspects of the company's proposal also met the Government's requirements.

"We hope the franchise can be awarded as soon as possible for the construction works to proceed and to be completed by mid-June 1998," he said.