ENG-2002 — Page 301

TRANSPORT

extension of the existing MTR Tung Chung Line eastwards along the north shore of 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 Line (TKL) 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 17-kilometre Shatin 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 submitted bids for the construction and operation of this rail link. The KCRC, which was awarded the project, is firming up the scheme with a view to completing the link by around 2008-09.

* 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 project is in the detailed planning and design stage, with completion envisaged around 2008–09.

* 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-western New Territories. The situation is being closely monitored.

* 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 beyond. It will form part of an express rail link connecting Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, which is destined to shorten the journey time between Hong Kong and Guangzhou to within 60 minutes. A joint expert group comprising representatives from the Mainland and Hong Kong has been formed to study the feasibility of this rail link.

* The Port Rail Line (PRL) that will be a 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. Its implementation depends on cross-boundary freight build-up. The KCRC is studying the viability of the project.

* The South Hong Kong Line (SIL) that links up the northern and southern parts of Hong Kong Island. The Government is assessing the need for this rail link, and its viability.

Road Projects Under Construction

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 between Island House Interchange and Ma Liu Shui Interchange is being widened to dual four-lane carriageway standard, with the works due to be completed in mid-2003.

In Ma On Shan, to cope with future growth in traffic demand, the Sai Sha Road section between Kam Ying Road and the junction with Trunk Road T7 at Sha On

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