Cross-Harbour Tunnel
The Cross- Harbour Tunnel (Chinese香港 海底 隧道) is an underwater tunnel in Hong Kong. The tunnel opened in 1972, was the first road link between Kowloon and Hong Kong Iceland. Of the three road tunnels under the Victoria Harbour of the Cross - Harbour Tunnel is the most underutilized. Weekday travel daily 122,000 vehicles through the tunnel, at an optimum, congestion-free capacity of up to 110,000 vehicles.
The northern entrance is located in the Hung Hom district, where the toll is collected for both directions. The southern entrance is located on Kellett Iceland. The tunnel is 1.86 km long and consists of two tunnels, each with two lanes. The design was as immersed tunnel.
History
The Hong Kong government turned for the implementation of the project, the tunnel operator model " Build Operate Transfer": for the financing and construction of a private company was responsible, which won the concession for the operation and administration of tolls for 30 years. The concession was awarded to the Cross - Harbour Tunnel Company, which was founded in 1965 to carry out the tunnel project. The Hong Kong government contributed to 20% so as not to completely leave their influence on the project. The tunnel was designed with two lanes in each direction for a capacity of 80,000 vehicles.
Construction began in September 1969 and was to last four years. The concession period expired already the start of construction, so that the operator performed the construction of one years ahead of schedule. In August 1972, the tunnel was opened to traffic and cost for cars HK $ 5 per passage. After three and a half years of operation, the operator had recorded the construction costs again.
In 1984, the Hong Kong government introduced a tax in addition to the toll of the operator in order to make the crowded tunnel priced less attractive. The price for a car drive-through was now HK $ 10.
In 1993, an electronic system for automatic debit was installed by tolls. Together with measures to control the flow of traffic, the vehicle capacity could be increased.
In September 1999, the concession expired and all rights reverted to the Hong Kong government. The toll was increased to HK $ 20 for cars. The Government commissioned the Cross - Harbour Tunnel Company, now renamed to Cross - Harbour ( Holdings ), then perform the operation. In 2010, Serco Group was tasked with the continued operation.