ENG-2000 — Page 298

TRANSPORT

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The 900-metre Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, opened in 1990, links Kowloon and the new town at Tseung Kwan O. It was used by 68 000 vehicles daily in 2000. The toll was $3.

The 1.6-kilometre toll-free Cheung Tsing Tunnel was opened in 1997 and links Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi. It was used by 83 000 vehicles daily in 2000.

Existing Rail Network

Besides the network of road tunnels and highways, railways also form a vital part of Hong Kong's transport network. The rail system comprises a heavily utilised Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system, the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) East Rail which also provides cross-boundary service, a dedicated express rail passenger service connecting the urban areas with the airport (the Airport Railway (AR)) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT). The system now covers about 143 kilometres and has three MTR harbour crossings.

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.

Committed Railway Projects

The six railway projects being implemented or planned are:

The 30.5-kilometre West Rail that connects West Kowloon with Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. Construction started in September 1998 for completion by the end of 2003;

The 12.5-kilometre Tseung Kwan O Extension comprises a diversion of the Kwun Tong Line beyond Lam Tin to Tiu Keng Leng and the creation of a new Tseung Kwan O Line that will provide a direct service between the new town and Hong Kong Island. Construction started in November 1998 for completion in 2002;

The 11.4-kilometre Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link (MOS Rail) that connects the existing KCR East Rail Tai Wai Station and Wu Kai Sha in Ma On Shan;

The KCR Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui Extension (TST Extension) that extends the KCR East Rail by about one kilometre from the existing Hung Hom terminus to a new station in TST East. Construction of both the MOS Rail and the TST Extension has commenced for completion in 2004;

The 7.4-kilometre Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line (Spur Line) will connect the KCR East Rail at Sheung Shui with a new passenger boundary crossing at Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang. The Spur Line project is undergoing a statutory process and its construction will start after the completion of that process.

The Penny's Bay Rail Link is a 3.5-kilometre single-track system connecting a new Yam O station on the existing Tung Chung Line to Penny's Bay where the Hong Kong Disneyland is to be built. The project is expected to be completed in 2005. The MTR Corporation Limited is preparing technical proposals for the project.

Road Projects Under Construction

To enhance the safety of motorists and the flow of traffic between Nam Wai and Ho Chung areas, Phase III of the improvements to Hiram's Highway (the main route to