Operation
The Tsing Ma Bridge links Tsing Yi island on the east to Ma Wan island on the west over Ma Wan Channel. It is part of the Lantau Link, which, with two long span bridges links the New Territories and Lantau Island, and eventually leads to the Hong Kong International Airport on Chek Lap Kok via North Lantau Highway. The other bridges are the Kap Shui Mun Bridge linking Ma Wan to Lantau Island over Kap Shui Mun and the Ting Kau Bridge linking Tsing Yi to the New Territories over Rambler Channel.
The Tsing Ma Bridge has been an important gateway to Lantau Island. It is Route 8 expressway, which connects the Lantau Link, the West Kowloon expressway, Cheung Sha Wan and Shatin. The rail line is part of MTR's Tung Chung Line and Airport Express.
The bridge, together with other highway, bridge and tunnel connections in the area, are part of the Tsing Ma Control Area under the Tsing Ma Control Area Ordinance (Cap. 498) in Hong Kong Law. The control area has been managed by Tsing Ma Management Limited since opening. The control area's traffic management system was developed by Delcan Corporation of Toronto. Special regulations and by-laws are carried out in the area.
Along with the Ting Kau Bridge and Kap Shui Mun Bridge, the bridge is closely monitored by the Wind and Structural Health Monitoring System (WASHMS). Surveillance cameras are also installed over the bridge to record traffic conditions. The video is available at the government website. It is updated every two minutes.
Toll payable on the Lantau Link -- of which Tsing Ma Bridge is part -- for motorcycles, private cars, public double-decker buses and heavy goods vehicles are HK$20, $30, $60 and $80 respectively, and payable only for the eastbound direction from Lantau to Tsing Yi. The normal speed limit on the bridge is 80 km/h, subject to lowering in the event of road work or strong wind. Traffic may also be directed to the sheltered carriageways on the lower deck when there are very strong winds. There is no sidewalk on the bridge. Parking is also prohibited on the bridge.
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