2 long-awaited Hong Kong transport links costing billions ‘set to open to traffic on December 11’
- Source says Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin tunnel and connecting Cross Bay Link will launch before year’s end, without tolls
- Infrastructure projects expected to reduce peak travel time between Tseung Kwan O and Kowloon East by around 20 minutes
Two long-awaited Hong Kong infrastructure projects will open to traffic on December 11 and be free to use, the Post has learned, with the launch of the two multibillion-dollar initiatives expected to reduce peak commute times between Tseung Kwan O and Kowloon East by about 20 minutes.
A source on Thursday said the Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel and its connecting Cross Bay Link, which respectively cost HK$15 billion (US$1.91 billion) and HK$5.6 billion to build, would help relieve worsening traffic in a district where more homes were being built.
“The two projects will be open for use on December 11 with a toll-free arrangement. The congestion in the Tseung Kwan O district will be greatly eased,” the insider said.
A spokesman for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said the development of both projects was in the final stages, but stopped short of confirming the exact opening date.
“The two projects are expected to be commissioned in tandem in December this year. The government will announce the commissioning date and details in due course,” he said.
The tunnel connects Tseung Kwan O and Kowloon East with a dual two-lane highway that spans 3.8km and will form part of Route 6, a road network currently under development that will provide an express link between the district and West Kowloon.
Originally anticipated to open in 2021, the commissioning of the tunnel was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The project will allow existing traffic between Tseung Kwan O and Eastern Harbour Tunnel to avoid diverting through Tseung Kwan O Road and Lei Yue Mun Road in Kwun Tong.