ENG-2001 — Page 309

TRANSPORT

The 1.6-kilometre toll-free Cheung Tsing Tunnel was opened in 1997 and links Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi. It was used by 81 000 vehicles daily in 2001.

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 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 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 11.4-kilometre Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link (MOS Rail) connects the Ma On Shan New Town to the existing KCR East Rail at Tai Wai Station. Construction started in November 2000 for completion in 2004.

* The KCR Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui Extension (TST Extension) extends the KCR East Rail by about one kilometre from the existing Hung Hom terminus to a new station at Tsim Sha Tsui East. Construction started in March 2001 for completion in 2004.

* 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. Detailed design for the project has commenced and construction will start in 2002 for commissioning in 2005.

* 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 statutory processes and is targeted for commissioning before mid-2007.

Railway Projects Under Planning

The six railway projects under planning are:

* The Island Line Extensions that will comprise a new North Hong Kong Island Line (NIL) and a new West Hong Kong Island Line (WIL). The NIL will be an extension of the existing MTR Tung Chung Line eastwards along the north shore of

249