Cheung Tsing Tunnel

Cheung Tsing Tunnel, also spelled Cheung Ching Tunnel, is a dual tube 3-lane tunnel on Tsing Yi Island, Hong Kong. It is part of Tsing Kwai Highway of Route 3. Its east end connects to Rambler Channel Bridge and west Cheung Tsing Highway. The tunnel was opened on 1997-05-22 and is the second toll-free tunnel in Hong Kong. Its length is about 1.6 kilometres.

Construction

The tunnel was given the name "Cheung Ching" (長青) because it is beneath Cheung Ching Estate, the first public housing estate on the island.

Construction through the granite of Tsing Yi Peak required explosives to get through the hardness of the hill. To prevent dislodging of rocks and buildings on the surface slopes the rocks were reinforced by concrete and steel. Although the tunnel used explosives in its construction, boring was more used as the primary digging procedure.

Management

The tunnel was managed by Tsing Ma Management Limited under Tsing Ma Control Area, along with Tsing Ma Bridge, Kap Shui Mun Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge, Rambler Channel Bridge, North Lantau Highway and Tsing Kwai Highway.

Public housing estates on Tsing Yi Island

The following is an overview of public housing estates on Tsing Yi, including Home Ownership Scheme (HOS), Private Sector Participation Scheme (PSPS), Flat-for-Sale Scheme (FFSS), and Tenant Purchase Scheme (TPS) estates.

History

At early 1970s, the residents of Tsing Yi Island were largely villagers and fishermen. Later, the government decided to extend the Tsuen Wan New Town westward onto the island. The plan was to develop the northeastern quadrant of the island into residential use, and some estates were to be built on reclaimed land. The Hong Kong Housing Authority was mandated to construct public housing estates as part of this plan. Cheung Ching Estate is the first stage of new town development.

All the estates in this development are named "Cheung variable Estate" (長x邨), and most flats were destined for rental. Tsing Yi Estate is named after Tsing Yi Hui, which was demolished to make way for its construction.

Easeful Court was originally destined for the HOS, but ended up being let due to the impact of SARS.