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The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, accompanied by the Director of Highways, Mr Lau Ka-keung, inspected the construction progress of the Tuen Mun - Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) this afternoon (October 28).
The TM-CLKL, with an approximate length of 9 kilometres, belongs to the related local projects of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB). It provides a strategic road link connecting the North West New Territories (NWNT) with North Lantau, the HZMB Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
The Chief Executive pointed out that the completion of the TM-CLKL will reduce the travelling distance from Tuen Mun to HKIA and Tung Chung by nearly 22km. Apart from meeting the ever increasing traffic demand between the NWNT and Lantau, this extra route will be an alternative route to HKIA and could strengthen the transportation network of the airport. Also, the TM-CLKL will enhance cross-boundary transportation and refine the regional transport network of Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and Zhuhai.
Mr Leung also inspected the works of the sub-sea tunnel of the Northern Connection. This is the first time in Hong Kong that a sub-sea tunnel is being constructed by using extra-large-diameter tunnel boring machines (TBMs), one of which has a diameter of about 17 metres and is at present the world's largest TBM. Constructing the sub-sea tunnel by means of boring reduces the dredging and disposal of more than 10 million cubic metres of marine sediment that would otherwise be required by the traditional immersed tube method, hence minimising environmental impacts brought about by construction.
Mr Leung said that the TM-CLKL is of vital importance in improving Hong Kong and its cross-boundary transport networks. He expressed the hope that the construction work would be completed smoothly so as to enhance the city's status as the transport hub of the Pearl River Delta.
Ends/Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:08
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