Hong Kong Resort Co (HKR) is to begin construction of its $400 million road tunnel linking Discovery Bay and the North Lantau Expressway next month.
The project is part of a $6 billion investment plan by HKR for the next three years that includes a 2,230 home extension to Discovery Bay and commercial and residential development at the Tung Chung Mass Transit Railway station.
When completed in 1999, the new road connection would allow residents to travel by bus to the Tung Chung station where passengers could catch trains to Kowloon and Central.
The ride to Central would take 23 minutes. It would take about 15 minutes by bus from Discovery Bay to Tung Chung and the new airport at Chek Lap Kok.
HKR executive director Jeremy Marriott said a tunnel construction contractor would be appointed in the next few weeks.
Negotiations with several contractors were at an advanced stage and a contract could be awarded this month.