HK-Shenzhen Western Corridor terminal project starts

Work has begun on construction of the cross-boundary passenger terminal for the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor, the new road link between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

To mark the occasion today (August 10), the Deputy Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Wong, led a delegation of Hong Kong government officials to attend a ceremony in Shenzhen.

The passenger terminal, with a floor area of about 55,000 square metres and a 10,000-metre ancillary area, is a key building at the new control point for the corridor. It will primarily provide clearance facilities for coaches and passenger traffic.

"The time required for the construction of the passenger terminal building is crucial to the construction of the entire Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor control point," a government spokesman said.

The interior of the passenger terminal building will be divided into two to accommodate the immigration, customs, inspection and quarantine facilities of both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen sides.

Once completed, cross-boundary passengers will enjoy fast and convenient service in a comfortable environment.

The recently concluded Seventh Plenary of the Hong Kong-Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference agreed in principle to name the new facility the 'Shenzhen Bay Control Point' and to plan on the basis of providing round-the-clock clearance services.

It is estimated that the new control point will be able to handle peak hourly traffic flow of 150 coaches, 1,640 private cars and 2,600 goods vehicles in one direction.

Ends/Tuesday, August 10, 2004