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already both port and airport are reaching capacity. We
must therefore improve on nature's gifts.
Last week I announced our plans. We have decided
to replace the existing airport at Kai Tak with a new one
built on a massive land reclamation just north of the
island of Lantau in the west of the territory. This wil1
be a twin runway airport of the highest international
standard. It will take 80 million passengers a year more
than three times the capacity of the existing airport. It
will also spare pilots and passengers the swooping
right-hand turn over the rooftops of Kowloon City, which
has previously got their adrenalin running just before
touch down.
The new airport will be connected to the city by a
six-lane highway and rapid transit system. Twenty-five
minutes is all it will take to snake through a string of
bridges and tunnels to the hotels and convention centres in
the heart of Hong Kong. Construction of the new airport
will open up the old airport site and the northern coast of
Lantau for new development. And hundreds of thousands of
ears will be granted blessed relief from aircraft noise,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.