Lantau Link closure: Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying visits Tuen Mun project site of alternative airport route

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said the project to build the northern part of the link between Tuen Mun and Chek Lap Kok was making good progress and was within budget.

The chief executive yesterday visited the project site accompanied by Director of Highways Peter Lau Ka-keung - five days after a barge struck a bridge on the Lantau Link, forcing the closure of the main highway to the airport and inconveniencing thousands of air passengers.

Speaking at the entrance to the tunnels at the Tuen Mun site, Leung said the project was currently within budget. But he conceded: "Speaking of construction work in the sub-sea area, there may be unforeseeable factors [affecting construction] ... But the progress so far is good."

Leung said the link could serve as an alternative route for people to get to Lantau and Hong Kong International Airport. The travel distance between Tuen Mun city centre and the airport will be shortened by 22km or about 20 minutes compared with travel via the Lantau Link.

There have been suggestions that the chaos arising from the closure of the Lantau Link would have been eased if lawmakers had not voted down the Tuen Mun project back in 2002.