ENG-1993 — Page 309

THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME

and involves moving an average of 400 000 cubic metres of fill a day. More than 450 hectares of land had been formed by the end of 1993. Three smaller works contracts let by the PAA for advance works at Chek Lap Kok, and for trans-shipment facilities at Lok On Pai, have been completed.

The detailed design of the passenger terminal building is continuing and is expected to be substantially completed by the second quarter of 1994. The airport's passenger terminal complex will provide a dynamic gateway to Hong Kong. It is to be a large, low building with a roof line inspired by the concept of flight. With a length of 1.2 kilometres and a floor area of over 490 000 square metres, it will be the focal point of the airport.

A ground transportation centre located adjacent to the passenger terminal will make the airport easily accessible. The centre will contain arrivals and departures platforms for the Airport Express railway, a designated coach staging area, tour group check-in facilities, a limousine pick-up area, a 24-taxi simultaneous pick-up system, and facilities for short and long-term parking. There will also be a ferry terminal nearby. More than 35 000 square metres of space will be provided in the arrivals and departures halls and the concourse area for 150 commercial outlets.

By the end of 1993, 18 design consultancies had been awarded. They covered the designs of the permanent utilities, stormwater drainage, sewerage and irrigation, temporary utilities, airfield tunnels, airfield pavements, airfield ground lighting, apron lighting, marine geology of Chek Lap Kok, waste management, airport expressway, rail link and roads, modularisation and workforce accommodation, integrated transportation centre and approach roads, airport railway, on-airport aviation fuel services system, communications systems, security systems, perimeter fence and ancillaries as well as urban design guidelines and standards.

The PAA is preparing to award more than 80 works contracts. Tenders were invited in mid-July for the development of an automated people-mover system and an automated baggage-handling system within the terminal.

The commercial opportunities at Chek Lap Kok will be as diverse as Hong Kong's own economic profile. As a business, the airport will encourage competition, quality services and private sector participation. It will offer a world-class service to all of its users. passengers, airlines, air-cargo shippers, the travel and tourism industry, and the commercial licensees and concessionaires who will establish their businesses at the airport.

There will be more than one licence for most airside developments including air-cargo handling, aircraft maintenance and aircraft catering. The first drafts of the business plan specification brief on cargo-handling and aircraft maintenance were issued to potential franchisees for comments in March and May, respectively. The first draft of the brief for the aviation fuel supply system was issued in August. The market assessment for the licensed provision of aircraft catering services has been completed. Expressions of interest for the design of the on-airport fuel distribution service system were called for in July and processing work for the licence continues.

By the end of the year, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council had approved a total advance of $14,591 million to enable the PAA to fund the site preparation contract and the key consultancies mentioned above, and to proceed with the airport development in general. Such funding enabled the PAA to take important steps forward on the airport, while the government continues to seek agreement with China on the overall airport financing plan.

259