New Tuen Mun-airport Link 'smooth And Quick'

A new route linking Tuen Mun and Chek Lap Kok opened on Sunday morning, with many motorists saying it has cut their journey times by around 20 minutes.

The Northern Connection of the Tuen Mun-to-Chek Lap Kok Link connects Tuen Mun South and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge port area with a five-kilometre long undersea tunnel.

Dozens of motorists waited for the toll-free route to open at 8am, with some telling RTHK that the journey was smooth and quick, with clear signage along the way.

One driver said it used to take him 40 to 45 minutes to drive from Tin Shui Wai to the city’s airport. But with the new link, it only took him around 20 minutes.

Others said they came for a pleasure drive as there was not much else to do during the pandemic.

The opening of the northern connection also sees tolls for the existing Lantau Link waived.

Writing in his blog, chief secretary Matthew Cheung said he hopes the project can reinforce the city's role as an aviation hub by strengthening the reliability of the road network around the Hong Kong International Airport.