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TRANSPORT

The 1.9-kilometre Aberdeen Tunnel, opened in 1982, links the northern and southern parts of Hong Kong Island. It was used by 58 300 vehicles daily in 2002. 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 59 400 vehicles daily in 2002.

The 2.6-kilometre Shing Mun Tunnels between Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan were opened in 1990. A daily average of 54 600 vehicles paid the $5 toll in 2002.

The 900-metre Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, opened in 1990, links Kowloon and the new town at Tseung Kwan O. It was used by 69 200 vehicles daily in 2002. 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 84 800 vehicles daily in 2002.

Existing Rail Network

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 Express) and the Light Rail (LR). The system now covers about 160 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.

Railway Projects Under Construction

The five railway projects under construction are:

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

* The 11.4-kilometre Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link (MOS Rail) that 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 one-kilometre Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui Extension (TST Extension) that extends the KCR East Rail 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 3.5-kilometre Penny's Bay Rail Link that connects a new Yam O station on the existing MTR Tung Chung Line to Penny's Bay where the Hong Kong Disneyland is being built. Construction started in July 2002 for completion in 2005.

* The 7.4-kilometre Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line (Spur Line) that connects the KCR East Rail at Sheung Shui with a new passenger boundary crossing at Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang. Construction started in October 2002 for completion before mid-2007.

Railway Projects Under Planning

The seven 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

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