ENG-2001 — Page 308

TRANSPORT

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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 74 600 vehicles used the tunnel in 2001. 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 39 700 vehicles daily in 2001. The tolls ranged from $20 to $125. The tunnel company offers concessionary tolls and the actual tolls ranged from $20 to $100.

The four-kilometre Tate's Cairn Tunnel, 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 64 000 vehicles daily in 2001. Tolls 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 43 800 vehicles daily in 2001. Tolls, after adjustment on April 1, ranged from $20 to $90. The tunnel company offers concessionary tolls and the actual tolls ranged from $17 to $75.

The 2.4-kilometre Discovery Bay Tunnel Link, which comprises a 630-metre single tube two-way tunnel and a 1 770 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 2000, the tunnel link was used by an average of 500 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 90 900 vehicles daily in 2001. 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 58 600 vehicles daily in 2001. 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 2001.

The 2.6-kilometre Shing Mun Tunnels between Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan were opened in 1990. A daily average of 53 800 vehicles paid the $5 toll in 2001.

The 900-metre Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, opened in 1990, links Kowloon and the new town at Tseung Kwan O. It was used by 72 000 vehicles daily in 2001. The toll was $3.