ENG-1998 — Page 298

TRANSPORT

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The Tate's Cairn Tunnel was opened to traffic in 1991, providing an additional direct road link between the north-eastern New Territories and Kowloon. At 3.9 kilometres, it is the longest road tunnel in Hong Kong. It was used by an average of 65 000 vehicles daily in 1998. Tolls ranged from $8 to $20.

The two-kilometre Western Harbour Crossing is the first six-lane cross-harbour road tunnel in Hong Kong. Opened in 1997, it links Sai Ying Pun on Hong Kong Island and the West Kowloon Reclamation near Yau Ma Tei in Kowloon. It was used by an average of 33 000 vehicles daily in 1998. Tolls ranged from $15 to $95.

The Tai Lam Tunnel measures 3.8 kilometres and, together with the 6.3-kilometre Yuen Long Approach Road, forms the Route 3 (Country Park Section) which extends from Ting Kau to Au Tau. Opened in May 1998, it was used by an average of 29 000 vehicles daily in 1998. Tolls ranged from $10 to $60.

Besides the network of road tunnels and highways, railways also form a vital part of Hong Kong's transport network. Hong Kong's rail system comprises a heavily utilised urban railway (the Mass Transit Railway — MTR), a busy suburban railway (the Kowloon-Canton Railway — KCR), and the Light Rail (LR). There is also a tramway serving as a local distributor on the northern shore of the Hong Kong Island and a funicular tramway running between Central (Garden Road) and the Peak.

New Roads and Railways Opened in 1997/1998

The relocation of the airport to Chek Lap Kok and the development of the Tung Chung new town required additional road links between Lantau and the urban areas. A new expressway system comprising the North Lantau Highway, Lantau Link, Cheung Tsing Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Kwai Highway, West Kowloon Highway and Western Harbour Crossing, was opened to traffic in mid 1997. In May 1998, the expressway system was augmented by the completion of the Ting Kau Bridge and the Route 3 (Country Park Section), which provided easy access to the North-West New Territories.

The strategic expressway system to Lantau and North-West New Territories needs. to be carefully managed to ensure smooth traffic flow. Route 3 (Country Park Section) is managed and operated by the private sector franchisee. The Tsing Ma Control Area (TMCA), a 17-kilometre expressway network comprising Tsing Kwai Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Cheung Tsing Highway, North-West Tsing Yi Interchange, Lantau Link, Ting Kau Bridge and part of North Lantau Highway, is operated and maintained by a private management contractor. TMCA is equipped with extensive traffic control and surveillance system. The system provides a high degree of automation to regulate traffic flows, to assist in dealing with incidents and to provide useful information to motorists.

A one-way toll collection arrangement is adopted for the TMCA. Vehicles travelling on the Lantau Link will be charged twice the single journey toll when they return from Lantau Island. The double toll ranges from $20 to $80.

The $34 billion Airport Railway is an integral part of the transport links to connect the urban areas with the new airport and the Tung Chung new town. It comprises two services-the Airport Express Line and the Tung Chung Line. They were completed and opened to the public on June 22 and July 6, 1998, respectively. The Airport Express Line (AEL) provides a dedicated express rail service for passengers to and