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The second works contract for Route 9 between Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan - the Nam Wan Tunnel and West Tsing Yi Viaduct - was awarded to a joint venture today April 30).

This marks another milestone in the implementation of the east-west strategic link between Hong Kong International Airport and the north-eastern part of the New Territories.

The Director of Highways, Mr Mak Chai-kwong, signed the $1.479 billion contract on behalf of the Government with a joint venture comprising Gammon Skanska Limited and Skanska International Civil Engineering AB for the construction of the tunnel and the associated viaduct.

Speaking at the contract-signing ceremony today, Mr Mak said the Highways Department would continue to build high quality roads, expand and improve the road network to meet changes in the transport needs of urban development.

The 1.25-kilometre Nam Wan Tunnel is a twin-bore, three-lane tunnel running underneath the southern part of Tsing Yi Island. Other major elements of the contract include the tunnel control buildings and the one-kilometre dual three-lane West Tsing Yi Viaduct.

Works have just commenced for completion by mid-2007.

Route 9 is a trunk road linking Lantau and Sha Tin via Tsing Yi and West Kowloon. The main components include the North Lantau Highway and the Lantau Link, which were completed in 1997, and the remaining sections of the route between Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan and between Cheung Sha Wan and Sha Tin.

After the completion of these two sections, Route 9 will provide a direct link between the airport at Chek Lap Kok and North East New Territories. It will also connect the Lantau Link to the West Kowloon Highway at Cheung Sha Wan and provide direct access to the future Container Terminal No 9 (CT9) and existing container terminals without going through the Tsing Yi local road network.

End/Wednesday, April 30, 2003

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