Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL)

Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) is a dual two-lane roadway being built to connect the Northwest New Territories of Hong Kong with Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), the Hong Kong International Airport and North Lantau.

TM-CLKL includes two major sections named Northern Connection and Southern Connection.

The link will reduce the distance between Tuen Mun South and HKIA by 22km, reducing the travel time from 30 minutes to ten minutes. It will divert traffic to relieve the existing traffic conditions of North Lantau Highway (NLH), Lantau Link and Tuen Mun Road.

The new road will also create an alternative route to the airport, establishing it as a regional aviation hub.

The mainline of the Southern Connection was opened in October 2018, while the Tung Chung bound section was opened in November 2018. The Northern Connection is expected to be completed in 2020.

The estimated investment for the project is HK$46.7bn ($6bn). The Legislative Council Finance Committee approved a sum of HK$1.90bn ($246m) for the project’s design, site investigation and advance works, along with HK$44.79bn ($5.7bn) for construction works.

TM-CLKL details

The Northern Connection of the project will link the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) and Tuen Mun via a sub-sea tunnel, while the Southern Connection links North Lantau and the HKBCF through a viaduct.

The total length of the new route is approximately 9km, while the Southern Connection is 3.5km long.

The major components of the TM-CLKL include reclamation of a 24ha area near the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal for the northern tunnel portal of TMCLKL, a 1km-long elevated viaduct from Tuen Mun Western Bypass (TMWB) to the northern tunnel portal, a 4km-long dual two-lane immersed tube tunnel along the Urmston Road towards Tai Mo To, reclamation of a 12ha area at Tai Mo for the southern tunnel portal and a toll plaza, and a 4.6km-long sea viaduct from the toll plaza at Tai Mo To connecting the Tung Chung and Airport Island.

Southern Connection of Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link

The Southern Connection connects NLH at Tai Ho and the Hong Kong Port via a 1.9km-long land viaduct and a 1.6km-long sea viaduct.

The land viaduct passes through existing railway lines, while the dual two-lane sea viaduct connects HKBCF and North Lantau, through the Tung Chung Navigation Channel.

Designed as pre-stressed concrete girders, nine approach viaducts constructed by precast segmental method also form part of the corridor. Construction also included associated works such as slope improvement, mitigation measures and environmental protection.

The mainline of the Southern Connection extends between the Hong Kong Port and the urban-bound NLH.

Northern Connection of Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link

For the Northern Connection, the construction of land viaducts, a footbridge and vehicular underpass of toll plaza in Tuen Mun Area 46 is complete.

Excavation work for a 5km-long sub-sea tunnel section east of Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal to the Hong Kong Port was completed using large tunnel boring machines (TBMs).

Cross passages between the tunnel tubes were built, while precast units will be installed within the tunnel.

A North ventilation building on the northern landfall at Tuen Mun has been constructed and the cut-and-cover tunnel section at the Hong Kong Port artificial island is currently under construction.

The project also involves the construction of an administration building and toll control building, as well as ancillary buildings and facilities.

Contractors involved in Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link project

Arup, Gammon and Dragages-Bouygues joint venture (JV) are the major contractors for the project.

AECOM was contracted to provide detailed design and investigation, contract administration, site supervision and construction management services.

China Harbour Engineering Company was contracted for the construction of an artificial island, while Gammon Construction undertook ground investigation and various civil works.

Herrenknecht was contracted by Dragages-Bouygues JV for supplying equipment for construction, while GTECH Services was contracted for the design, supply and installation of a traffic control and surveillance system.

Dragages Hong Kong was awarded a design and construction contract in 2013, while Dextra supplied 100,000 Bartec rebar couplers for the project.

A JV of CRBC and KADEN was contracted for the construction of the toll plaza, along with associated structures, carriageways and a footbridge.