ENG-1998 — Page 297

TRANSPORT

considered. Upon its completion in 1999, CTS-3 will provide recommendations for an integrated, up-to-date transport strategy and a plan for the development and provision of transport infrastructure and facilities to meet the anticipated demand arising from economic development and population growth.

Transport Infrastructure

Existing Road and Rail Network

At the end of 1998, Hong Kong had 1 865 kilometres of roads and 1 737 highway structures, three immersed-tube, cross-harbour tunnels, and eight road tunnels penetrating the hills of the territory. These facilities provide a comprehensive road network for Hong Kong.

The government owns six of the road tunnels Lion Rock, Aberdeen, Airport, Shing Mun, Tseung Kwan O and Cheung Tsing which are managed and operated by private companies under management contracts. Tolls are set and monitored by the government while the Airport Tunnel and Cheung Tsing Tunnel are free of charge.

The Lion Rock Tunnel, linking Kowloon and Sha Tin, began single-tube operation in 1967, with a second tube added in 1978. The 1.4-kilometre tunnel is the most heavily used government tunnel, with 95 000 vehicle trips daily. The toll was $6.

The Aberdeen Tunnel, opened in 1982, links the northern and southern parts of Hong Kong Island. It measures 1.9 kilometres and was used by 58 000 vehicles daily in 1998. The toll was $5.

The toll-free Airport Tunnel between Hung Hom and Kowloon Bay passes under the former site of Hong Kong International Airport at Kai Tak and was opened in 1982. It measures 1.3 kilometres and was used by 55 000 vehicles daily in 1998.

The Shing Mun Tunnel between Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan was opened in 1990 and measures 2.6 kilometres. An average of 54 000 vehicles each day paid the $5 toll in 1998.

The 900-metre Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, opened in 1990, links Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O new town. It was used by 55 000 vehicles daily in 1998. The toll was $3.

The toll-free, 1.6-kilometre Cheung Tsing Tunnel was opened in 1997 and links Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi. It was used by 90 000 vehicles daily in 1998.

The Cross-Harbour Tunnel, the Eastern Harbour Crossing, the Tate's Cairn Tunnel, the Western Harbour Crossing and the Tai Lam Tunnel were built by the private sector under 'Build, Operate and Transfer' franchises.

The 1.9-kilometre Cross-Harbour Tunnel connects Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island and Hung Hom in Kowloon. Opened in 1972, its daily patronage was 120 000 vehicles in 1998. It is one of the world's busiest four-lane road tunnels. The tolls, which included a government passage tax, ranged from $4 to $30 for different types of vehicles.

The Eastern Harbour Crossing was opened in 1989. It links Quarry Bay on Hong Kong Island and Cha Kwo Ling in Kowloon. A daily average of 71 000 vehicles used the two-kilometre tunnel in 1998. Tolls ranged from $8 to $45.

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