ENG-1994 — Page 333

THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME

started in that same month and is progressing well. Overall, the project is 32 per cent complete and on schedule for completion by mid-1997.

The West Kowloon Expressway will link the northern portal of the Western Harbour Crossing to Lai Chi Kok, forming an important part of Route 3, with a dual, three-lane carriageway. It will serve developments on the West Kowloon reclamation and help relieve pressure on existing local and distributor roads in central and western Kowloon. Physical work on the expressway started in August 1993, aiming for completion by the end of 1996. At the year's end, 29 per cent of the project was complete.

Route 3 will link the northern end of the West Kowloon Expressway to the approaches of the Lantau Fixed Crossing. Its three major civil contracts cover the construction of the Cheung Ching Tunnel, Kwai Chung Viaduct and Rambler Channel Bridge. Work on these three contracts commenced in 1993, for scheduled completion in early 1997. The breakthrough of the Cheung Ching Tunnel was a significant development in May. Overall, 40 per cent of the project was complete at the year's end.

The two-deck Lantau Fixed Crossing, carrying a railway as well as roads, will comprise the Tsing Ma suspension bridge linking Tsing Yi to Ma Wan; viaducts crossing Ma Wan; and Kap Shui Mun Bridge, with a cable-stayed design, linking Ma Wan to Lantau. The Tsing Ma Bridge will become internationally-known as a major Hong Kong landmark. Its main span of about 1.4 kilometres will be the world's longest bridge carrying both road and railway. Work on the Lantau Fixed Crossing commenced in May 1992, for completion in mid-1997. Construction of the Tsing Ma Bridge was about 68 per cent complete at the end of 1994. Aerial wire spinning of the main suspension cables began in July 1993 following completion of the towers and anchorages. Overall, 58 per cent of the Lantau Fixed Crossing project is complete.

The North Lantau Expressway will be a 12.5-kilometre dual, three-lane carriageway along the northern coast of Lantau, linking the Lantau Fixed Crossing to Tung Chung new town and the airport at Chek Lap Kok. Construction of the expressway is being carried out in three sections, at Yam O, Tai Ho and Tung Chung. Work started in 1992 and is scheduled for completion by the end of 1996. Overall, 64 per cent of the project is complete.

Airport Railway

The 34-kilometre airport railway has been planned to provide two separate rail services, operating mainly on the same tracks but with separate platforms. These will be a fast passenger link to the airport at Chek Lap Kok, called the Airport Express, and a domestic service called the Lantau Line. Both will have maximum operating speeds of 135 kilometres per hour, compared to 80 kilometres per hour on existing Mass Transit Railway (MTR) lines.

The Airport Express is designed as an all-seated, business class-type express service providing a 23-minute link between Central District on Hong Kong Island and the airport, with only two stops at Kowloon and Tsing Yi. It is envisaged that six-car trains will be used initially at eight-minute frequencies, increasing, as required, to a maximum of 10-car trains, operating at 4.5-minute frequencies.

Serving northern Lantau, western Kowloon and Central, the Lantau Line is designed as a conventional mass transit commuter service. It will bring much needed relief to the MTR's Tsuen Wan Line, particularly along the Nathan Road Corridor where the railway is

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