Tate's Cairn Tunnel goes autotoll

Eunice Lam

Drivers can drive through the Tate's Cairn Tunnel without having to stop to pay tolls starting 5 am on November 26 under the latest expansion of the HKeToll system, transport authorities announced yesterday.

To tie in with the implementation of the electronic auto-toll system, temporary transport arrangements will be in place in phases starting at 1 am on November 26.

The tunnel, which links Diamond Hill with Sha Tin, and its slip roads will be closed off to traffic both ways from 4 am to 5 am that day to allow the transition.

One overnight franchised bus route No 680 - traveling between Kam Ying Court and Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal in Central - will be diverted to the Lion Rock Tunnel.

Tate's Cairn Tunnel will be reduced to four lanes with the HKeToll implementation, and all booths and auto toll lanes done away with.

The Transport Department said, as of Tuesday, it issued over 810,000 vehicle tags accounting for over 99 percent of licensed vehicles in Hong Kong, of which 92 percent had opened up an HKeToll account.

The system collected tolls from about 430,000 vehicle trips daily at six government tunnels.

Since May, authorities have launched the e-toll system at the Tsing Sha Control Area, Shing Mun Tunnel, Lion Rock Tunnel, and Cross Harbour Tunnel and the Eastern and Western harbor crossings.

The department urged drivers to complete registration for HKeToll as soon as possible, including installing a vehicle tag, opening an account, and setting up automatic payments.

The government also said yesterday it plans to implement the HKeToll at the Aberdeen Tunnel, which links up with Wan Chai, next month.

Tai Lam Tunnel, which connects Tsuen Wan and Yuen Long, will join the system once the government takes it over in May 2025.

With Tate's Cairn Tunnel's coming onstream, differential fares during rush hours will be introduced at the three cross-harbor tunnels on December 17.

The new toll will charge drivers of cars HK$60 for the Western crossing and HK$40 for the Hung Hom and Eastern tunnels during peak hours from Monday to Saturday to reduce traffic congestion.