ENG-2001 — Page 310

TRANSPORT

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Hong Kong Island to join up with the eastern half of the MTR Island Line (ISL) at Fortress Hill. At the same time, the MTR Tseung Kwan O Extension will be connected with the ISL's western half at Tin Hau. The WIL will be an extension of the existing ISL from Sheung Wan to Kennedy Town. The MTRCL has submitted a proposal for the extensions.

* The 17-kilometre Sha Tin to Central Link (SCL) that will be a strategic corridor from the New Territories to Hong Kong Island, via south-eastern Kowloon. The MTRCL and the KCRC have submitted bids for the construction and operation of this rail link. As the SCL comprises three sections of railway (the Tai Wai to Diamond Hill Link, the East Kowloon Line and the Fourth Rail Harbour Crossing), they could be completed in phases to better match demand.

* The Kowloon Southern Link (KSL) that will connect the KCR East Rail and West Rail at the southern tip of the Kowloon peninsula. Upon completion, passengers will be able to interchange between the East Rail and the West Rail at Hung Hom. The KCRC has submitted a proposal for this railway.

* The Northern Link that will link the West Rail to the Lok Ma Chau boundary crossing. It will also link up the East Rail and the West Rail to enable passengers to travel more widely in the northern parts of the New Territories. Its implementation will depend on the growth of cross-boundary traffic from the western part of the HKSAR and developments in the north-west New Territories. The situation is being closely monitored and the KCRC will be invited to put forward a proposal when necessary.

* The Regional Express Line (REL) that will provide a new express connection between the boundary and the urban area for train services to Shenzhen and through-train service to major cities beyond. Domestic (with limited stops) services could run on this new line. The timing for construction of the line will depend on cross-boundary passenger growth.

* The Port Rail Line (PRL) that will complete a new freight rail connection from Lo Wu to a new terminal at Kwai Chung. The PRL will allow freight from the deep hinterland of the Mainland (i.e., beyond the Pearl River Delta) to have access to the container port at Kwai Chung. The KCRC is investigating the implementation of the planned railway.

Road Projects Under Construction

To enhance the safety of motorists and the flow of traffic between the Nam Wai and Ho Chung areas, Phase III of the improvements to Hiram's Highway (the main route to Sai Kung) began in March 1999 for completion in 2002. The work involves realignment of the road in the two areas.

To improve the traffic capacity at the Fo Tan and Sui Wo areas in Sha Tin, construction works to widen the existing Fo Tan Road between Yuen Wo Street and Kwei Tei Street started in December 1999 for completion in early 2003.

The Tolo Highway and the Fanling Highway are being widened to dual four-lane carriageway standard in phases, with the works due to be completed in 2006. To further improve the road network serving the airport at Chek Lap Kok, construction of the Tsing Yi North Coastal Road started in February 1999 for completion in 2002.