ENG-2002 — Page 299

TRANSPORT

Existing Tunnels

The Cross-Harbour Tunnel, Eastern Harbour Crossing, Tate's Cairn Tunnel, Western Harbour Crossing and the Tai Lam Tunnel were built by the private sector under 'Build, Operate and Transfer' franchises.

The 1.9-kilometre Cross-Harbour Tunnel connects Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island and Hung Hom in Kowloon. The franchise for the tunnel, which was opened in 1972, ended on August 31, 1999, and the facility was handed back to the Government. With a daily patronage of 120 000 vehicles in 2002, it is one of the world's 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 73 400 vehicles used the tunnel in 2002. 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 40 000 vehicles daily in 2002. The tolls, after adjustment on July 31, ranged from $25 to $155. 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 62 700 vehicles daily in 2002. 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 44 500 vehicles daily in 2002. Tolls, after adjustment on April 1 2001, 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 600 vehicles daily in 2002. 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 89 800 vehicles daily in 2002. The toll was $8.

243