What are the Hong Kong government's development plans for Tung Chung?
Hong Kong's ninth new town taking shape on the northern shore of Lantau Island is designed as a supporting community for the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok. The new town, served by a high-speed road link and the Mass Transit Railway, is being developed on about 760 hectares of land to modern international standards, with residential and commercial developments and all necessary supporting infrastructure.
Phase 1 of the new town development was included in the Airport Core Programme and was completed in 1997 to accommodate about 20,000 residents in Tung Chung. Site formation and infrastructure works for Phase 2 were also completed. Works on Phase 3A started in March 1999 and were completed in late 2002. Improvements to Tung Chung Road between Pai Mei and Lung Tseng Tau commenced in mid-2002 for completion in mid 2003.
The Government will grant a franchise for the finance, design, construction, operation and maintenance of a cable car system linking Tung Ching and Ngong Ping. The franchise will be awarded on a build-operate-transfer basis for 30 years. This cable car system, expected to be completed in the second half of 2005, will add to the range of tourist attractions in Hong Kong. Upon completion of the system, visitors will be able to enjoy an approximately 5.7 kilometre ride between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping and admire the scenic views of Lantau and the airport. The cable car system will also provide an additional linkage among different attractions on Lantau, including the outdoor seated bronze Buddha, which is believed to be the largest of its type in the world.
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