XN000022-1996-03-28 — Page 7

6

"This will take time to reach the level of service provided by Hong Kong.

"I am confident, however, that over the next decade we will see the ports in southern China develop simultaneously with Hong Kong to provide the facilities which are necessary to support the fastest growing economy in the world."

End

Tsing Ma Bridge takes final shape today

**

The gap on the main span of the Tsing Ma Bridge, one of the world's longest suspension bridges, was closed this (Thursday) evening.

The lifting operation of the last of the 95 pieces of steel units which make up the bridge deck started shortly after 2 pm and this unit was lifted into its final position shortly before 6 pm.

With completion of erection of its main span, the bridge, which has become a showpiece of the Airport Core Programme and a new landmark for Hong Kong, has taken its final shape.

"This is excellent progress and we are delighted that this major milestone has been achieved on schedule," said the Project Director of the Lantau Fixed Crossing, Mr C.K. Lau.

"All that remains to be done now is for the sections to be joined up by welding. electrical and mechanical works, and work on public lighting and road surfacing. Installation of the rail movement joint has been substantially completed and other railway works have been progressing well. The Railway Envelope should be ready for handing over to the MTRC on schedule in August this year.

"Work on the bridge is now about 88 per cent complete and looking ahead we are confident that the Tsing Ma Bridge will be completed in May next year, on time and on budget," said Mr Lau.

Erection of the bridge's main span started in August last year with the deck units lifted in pairs from the middle of the bridge outwards towards the support towers on Tsing Yi and Ma Wan. Each unit measures 18 metres long and 41 metres wide and weighs 500 tonnes or the equivalent of 20 double decker buses.