ENG-2000 — Page 297

TRANSPORT

busiest four-lane road tunnels. The tolls ranged from $8 to $30 for different types of vehicles.

The two-kilometre 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 72 000 vehicles used the tunnel in 2000. Tolls ranged from $8 to $45.

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 43 000 vehicles daily in 2000. The tolls, after adjustment on December 3, ranged from $20 to $125. The tunnel company offers concessionary tolls and the actual tolls ranged from $20 to $100.

The 3.9-kilometre Tate's Cairn Tunnel, which is the longest road tunnel in Hong Kong, was opened to traffic in 1991, providing an additional direct road link between the north-eastern New Territories and Kowloon. It was used by an average of 63 000 vehicles daily in 2000. Tolls, after adjustment on January 2, ranged from $10 to $20.

The 3.8-kilometre Tai Lam Tunnel, 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 45 000 vehicles daily in 2000. Tolls, after adjustment on April 1, ranged from $15 to $75. The tunnel company offers concessionary tolls and the actual tolls ranged from $15 to $60.

The 2.4-kilometre Discovery Bay Tunnel Link, which comprises a 630-metre single tube two-way tunnel and a 1 700 metre approach road, is operated and maintained by the Discovery Bay Road Tunnel Company Limited, which also built it. It extends from Discovery Bay through Yi Pak Au to Cheung Tung Road. The tunnel link is only open to Discovery Bay residents' services and goods vehicles providing delivery of goods or a servicing function. Opened in May, the tunnel link was used by an average of 450 vehicles daily. It has a one-way toll collection arrangement. The vehicles are charged a single journey toll when they enter Discovery Bay. The tolls ranged from $50 to $250.

The Government owns seven of the road tunnels (Lion Rock, Aberdeen, Airport, Shing Mun, Tseung Kwan O, Cheung Tsing and Cross-Harbour) which are managed and operated by private companies under management contracts. Tolls are set and monitored by the Government. The use of the Airport Tunnel and the Cheung Tsing Tunnel is free of charge.

The 1.4-kilometre Lion Rock Tunnel, linking Kowloon and Sha Tin, began single- tube operation in 1967, with a second tube added in 1978. The tunnel was used by 92 000 vehicles daily in 2000. The toll was $8.

The 1.9-kilometre Aberdeen Tunnel, opened in 1982, links the northern and southern parts of Hong Kong Island. It was used by 58 000 vehicles daily in 2000. The toll was $5.

The 1.3-kilometre toll-free Airport Tunnel between Hung Hom and Kowloon Bay passes under the former airport site at Kai Tak and was opened in 1982. It was used by 60 000 vehicles daily in 2000.

The 2.6-kilometre Shing Mun Tunnels between Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan were opened in 1990. An average of 54 000 vehicles each day paid the $5 toll in 2000.

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