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At the end of 2003, Hong Kong had 1 934 kilometres of roads
and 1 057 road structures, three immersed-tube cross-harbour
tunnels, nine road tunnels and three major bridges. These facilities provide
a comprehensive road network for Hong Kong.
Major projects completed during the year included:
* Widening of Fo Tan Road between Yuen Wo Road and
Kwei Tei Street from dual two-lane to dual three-lane with improvements
to the capacities of the adjoining junctions. The project caters for the
traffic demand arising from the industrial and residential developments
in the Fo Tan and Sui Wo areas.
* Widening of the section of Tolo Highway between
the Island House Interchange and the Ma Liu Shui Interchange by adding
one traffic lane in each direction.
* The improvement to the Island Eastern Corridor section
between the North Point Interchange and Sai Wan Ho to alleviate the problem
caused by weaving and merging traffic.
The Cross-Harbour Tunnel, Eastern Harbour Crossing, Tate's Cairn Tunnel,
Western Harbour Crossing and 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 119
800 vehicles in 2003, 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 71 300 vehicles used the tunnel in 2003.
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 37 300
vehicles daily in 2003. Statutory tolls ranged from $30 to $185. 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 60 900 vehicles daily in 2003.
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 44 300 vehicles daily in 2003. Statutory tolls
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 700 vehicles daily in 2003. 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 88 000 vehicles daily in 2003. The toll
was $8.
The 1.9-kilometre Aberdeen Tunnel, opened in 1982,
links the northern and southern parts of Hong Kong Island. It was used
by 56 500 vehicles daily in 2003. 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 58 400 vehicles daily in 2003.
The 2.6-kilometre Shing Mun Tunnel between Sha Tin
and Tsuen Wan was opened in 1990. A daily average of 53 000 vehicles paid
a $5 toll in 2003.
The 900-metre Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, opened in 1990,
links Kowloon and the new town at Tseung Kwan O. It was used by 65 400
vehicles daily in 2003. 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 75 200
vehicles daily in 2003.
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, a dedicated express
rail passenger service connecting the urban areas with the airport (the
Airport Express Line (AEL)) and the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) which
includes the East Rail (ER), the West Rail (WR) and the Light Rail (LR).
Cross-boundary service is also provided by the East Rail. The system now
covers about 190 kilometres and has three MTR harbour crossings.
There is also a tramway serving as a local distributor
on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island and a funicular tramway running
between Central (Garden Road) and the Peak.
The four railway projects under construction are:
* The 11.4-kilometre Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link
(MOS Rail) that connects the Ma On Shan 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 Sunny Bay Station on the existing MTR Tung Chung Line to Penny's
Bay where Hong Kong Disneyland is being built. Construction started in
August 2002 for completion in 2005, to tie in with the opening of the
Disneyland.
* The 7.4-kilometre Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur
Line (Spur Line) 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.
The seven railway projects under planning are:
* 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 2009.
* 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 KCRC, which was awarded the project,
is firming up the scheme with a view to completing the link within the
window of 2008-2011 as recommended in the RDS-2000.
* The South Hong Kong Island Line (SIL) that links
up the northern and southern parts of Hong Kong Island. The MTRCL is carrying
out a preliminary study to develop various schemes for integrating the
SIL and the WIL Phase 1.
* 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 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 Government decided in January
2003 that the NIL would be deferred beyond 2016 because of a slower build-up
of population along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, and that the
route would be protected administratively. Also, the WIL would be planned
in conjunction with the SIL.
* 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. It will
form part of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, which
is intended 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 authorities 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 access the container port at Kwai Chung. Its implementation
depends on cross-boundary freight build-up. The KCRC is studying the viability
of the project.
Major road projects being implemented include:
* Deep Bay Link (DBL) and Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western
Corridor (HK-SWC): construction of the DBL and the HK-SWC commenced in
June and August, respectively, for completion in end-2005. The HK-SWC
will become Hong Kong's fourth vehicular boundary crossing while the DBL
will link it with the local transport network.
* New Boundary Bridge between Lok Ma Chau and Huanggang:
to relieve the traffic burden on the existing boundary bridge between
Lok Ma Chau and Huanggang, a new dual two-lane bridge is being built,
and due to be completed by end-2004.
* Widening of Yuen Long Highway between Lam Tei and
the Shap Pat Heung Interchange: this section of Yuen Long Highway is being
widened to a dual three-lane carriageway to cope with the anticipated
growth in traffic. Works commenced in August for completion by end-2005.
* Route 8 (previously known as Route 9 (Cheung
Sha Wan to Sha Tin)): construction commenced in October 2002 for completion
in mid-2007. This dual three-lane carriageway will serve as an additional
link between Sha Tin and Kowloon and relieve traffic on existing links
including the Lion Rock Tunnel and the Tate's Cairn Tunnel.
* Route 8 (previously known as Route 9 (Tsing Yi
and Cheung Sha Wan)): construction commenced in April 2002 for completion
in 2008. This dual three-lane carriageway will provide an alternative
route to the Route 3 Tsing Yi and Kwai Chung sections and access to the
Container Terminals 8 and 9.
* Trunk Road T3: this dual two-lane trunk road
in Tai Wai links Route 8 (previously known as Route 9 (Cheung Sha Wan
to Sha Tin)) with the existing Tai Po Road and will help relieve traffic
congestion by providing a bypass for several congested sections of Tai
Po Road. Construction commenced in March for completion in 2007.
* Route 9 (previously known as Route 5) between
Shek Wai Kok and Chai Wan Kok: this dual two-lane carriageway will provide
a direct link between the Shing Mun Tunnel and Tuen Mun Road as well as
a local link to western Tsuen Wan. Construction commenced in September
2002 for completion in 2006.
* Trunk Road T7: this dual two-lane trunk road
linking Ma On Shan Road and Sai Sha Road will serve as a bypass for Ma
On Shan Road and allow traffic to avoid the busy Ma On Shan Town Centre.
Construction commenced in January 2001 for completion in mid-2004.
* Widening of the section of Sai Sha Road between
Kam Ying Road and its junction with Trunk Road T7: to cope with future
growth in traffic demand from adjoining private developments, this section
of Sai Sha Road is being widened to dual two-lane standard. Work started
in August 2002 for completion in end-2004.
* Chok Ko Wan Link Road (Penny's Bay section):
this dual three-lane carriageway will be the access road to developments
at Penny's Bay, including Hong Kong Disneyland. Construction started in
August 2002 for completion in August 2005.
* Castle Peak Road between Sham Tseng and Ka Loon
Tsuen, Tsuen Wan: this section of Castle Peak Road is being widened to
a dual two-lane carriageway to cater for increasing traffic demand. Works
commenced in November 2001 for completion in 2006.
* Salisbury Road Underpass: this dual two-lane underpass
along Salisbury Road will improve the traffic capacity at the junction
of Salisbury Road and Chatham Road South. Works started in March 2001
for completion in 2004. The project also involves widening the section
of Salisbury Road between Wing On Plaza and Canton Road.
A number of road construction/improvement projects are under planning
to further expand and improve the existing road network:
* A Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Advance Work Co-ordination
Group has been formed to take forward planning for the project.
* Improvement to Castle Peak Road between Ka Loon
Tsuen and Siu Lam by upgrading it to dual two-lane carriageway standard
would commence in March 2004 for completion in May 2007.
* Reconstruction and improvement of Tuen Mun Road
would commence tentatively in end-2005 for completion in end-2011. The
project is intended to upgrade the carriageway to current expressway standard
so as to enhance road safety and to cater for the growing traffic demand.
Design and site investigation works would start in mid-2004.
* Planning of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass and the
Island Eastern Corridor Link is under way. This dual three-lane carriageway
aims at relieving traffic congestion along the existing Connaught Road
Central/Harcourt Road/Gloucester Road, which is the key east-west traffic
route along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island linking the Central,
Wan Chai and Causeway Bay areas.
* On Lantau Island, it is planned to upgrade the
existing Tung Chung Road between Lung Tseng Tau and Cheung Sha to a single
two-lane road to improve the island's north-south access and to enhance
the safety and capacity of the existing substandard Tung Chung Road. Detailed
design has been completed. Construction works are expected to commence
in early 2004 for completion in 2006-07.
* Elsewhere, planning is at an advanced stage for
the construction of a new boundary bridge at the Sha Tau Kok crossing,
which is intended to improve traffic flow and increase capacity. Works
are expected to commence in early 2004 for completion in early 2005.
Besides serving as carriageways for vehicles and pedestrians, roads also
accommodate various utility services, such as water and gas mains, sewers
and electricity and telephone cables. To cope with the increasing demand
for utility services and maintenance work, utility companies often have
to excavate the carriageways and footpaths to lay more pipes, cables and
ducts, and to carry out repair work. There were about 230 new road openings
each day in 2003. Road openings are coordinated and controlled by the
Highways Department through a permit system, under which utility companies
are required to carry out work to a required standard and within a time
limit.
To coordinate and monitor road opening works
more effectively and to minimise traffic disruption, the Highways Department
has established a three-tier communication system with participants ranging
from high level management to working level staff of utility companies
and relevant government departments. A computerised utility management
system has been in use since 1997 to further improve coordination and
minimise inconvenience to road users.
The Tsing Ma Control Area (TMCA), which was opened to traffic in May
1997, is a 21-kilometre expressway network comprising the Tsing Kwai Highway,
Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Cheung Tsing Highway, North-West Tsing Yi Interchange,
Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Lantau Link, Ting Kau Bridge, part of the
North Lantau Highway as well as Ma Wan Road. The TMCA is operated and
maintained by a private management contractor.
The Lantau Link has a one-way toll collection
arrangement. Vehicles travelling on the Lantau Link are charged twice
the single journey toll when they return from Lantau Island or enter Ma
Wan. The double toll ranges from $20 to $80 for different types of vehicles.
A daily average of 40 500 vehicles used the Lantau Link in 2003. |
