Tate's Cairn Tunnel

Tate's Cairn Tunnel
Chinese 大老山隧道

Tate's Cairn Tunnel is a four-lane tunnel in Hong Kong. Constructed as part of Route 2, it links Diamond Hill, Eastern Kowloon and Siu Lek Yuen, Sha Tin in the New Territories. It was opened on 26th June 1991.

Its toll plaza is situated on the Sha Tin side, leading to Tate's Cairn Highway, Sha Lek Highway and various local roads. The tunnel joins the Kwun Tong Bypass and is connected with Lung Cheung Road and several local roads on the Kowloon side.

Tate's Cairn Tunnel is the longest road tunnel in Hong Kong, with the northbound tube having a length of 3,913m and southbound tube having a length of 3,945m.

Contents

Toll

Tolls are collected manually or electronically in both directions on Sha Tin side.

Vehicle Category Toll Fee (as of Jan 1, 2010)
Motorcycle HKD $11
Private Car & Taxi HKD $14
Light Bus & Light Goods Vehicles HKD $21
Medium & Heavy Goods Vehicle HKD $25
Single-decker Bus HKD $28
Double-decker Bus HKD $31
Extra Axle HKD $18

Tunnel facilities

The BOT Concept

The Tate's Cairn Tunnel is a BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer) infrastructure project funded 100% by the private sector. The BOT franchise was awarded to the Tate's Cairn Tunnel Company Limited for a period of 30 years by the Hong Kong Government in 1988.

As suggested by the term BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer), the Tate's Cairn Tunnel Company Limited is responsible for the construction and operation of the Tunnel until the end of the franchise period. During the franchise period, the Company is allowed to earn a reasonable but not excessive return through the collection of tolls. On expiration, the tunnel will be transferred to the Government. The statutory requirements to the Company is defined by the Tate's Cairn Tunnel Ordinance.

BOT projects are embodiments of public/private co-operation for a better Hong Kong. To resolve the conflict between the demand for a better road network and the Government's desire to maintain fiscal prudence, private sector participation in transport infrastructure development provides a solution. Flow of private capital through BOT projects allows for rapid improvement of transport infrastructure in Hong Kong without massive public expenditures. Successful public/private cooperation in infrastructural projects enables the development of a better Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, examples of major road projects built using the BOT model are Tate's Cairn Tunnel, Eastern Harbour Tunnel, Western Harbour Crossing, Route 3 ( CPS ) and Cross Harbour Tunnel.

External links

Tate's Cairn Tunnel
Preceded by
Kwun Tong Bypass
Tate's Cairn Tunnel Succeeded by
Tate's Cairn Highway