Plans are under way to construct Hong Kong's longest tunnel, a 4.2 kilometre link between So Kwun Wat and Lam Tei in the New Territories, as part of the western highway project. Preliminary design for the tunnel, which will run beneath country parks, is being prepared by consultants Mot Connell and scheduled for completion in July. 'This tunnel, which will form part of the western highway, will be environmentally friendly,' highways department major works project manager Robert Lloyd said. The western highway will run from Aberdeen, along the western shore of Hong Kong Island, to the Hong Kong-Lantau link before merging with Route 10 - North Lantau to Yuen Long Highway - and the Deep Bay link. Deep Bay link, which will be constructed by the Government, will connect Shekou in western Shenzhen. Mr Lloyd said the department was studying proposals from four consultants for the design, construction, supervision and consultancy of the link connecting Yam O and Chok Kwo Wan in Penny's Bay, north Lantau. The four consultants are Hyder Consulting, Maunsell Consultants Asia, Mot Connell and Ove Arup & Partners. The project, to be awarded this month, was scheduled for completion in 2007, Mr Lloyd said. The department has also invited expressions of interest for the Tsing Lung Tau to So Kwun Wat tunnels and viaducts project in the New Territories. The design, construction, supervision and consultancy will be awarded in the second quarter. The northern section of the project, between So Kwun Wat and Lam Tei, will be connected by a 4.2 km tunnel. Mr Lloyd said the 10 km Hong Kong-Lantau link part of Route 10, was likely to be affected by changes to Green Island reclamation. TRANSPORT
