Ten and a half months. That’s how long it took to dig the Second Lion Rock Tunnel. Can you imagine the sheer scale of that undertaking? Right here before us stands a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. The Second Lion Rock Tunnel. It wasn’t just about moving vehicles. It was about securing Hong Kong’s future.
The Second Lion Rock Tunnel opened on January 18 1978. This wasn’t simply another road. This was a lifeline a vital artery connecting Kowloon and Sha Tin. The need for transport was immense. The demand for water equally critical. The High Island water scheme was underway. More water needed to reach Kowloon. The Second Lion Rock Tunnel provided the solution. It carried not only cars and trucks but also crucial water pipes. Think of the planning the engineering the sheer manpower needed for this project.
Construction started in 1972. The task was massive. It involved blasting through solid rock using explosives. The French company Dragages had an impressive reputation. They had worked on Kai Tak runway and Shek Pik Dam. They were more than equipped to tackle the Second Lion Rock Tunnel. The two tunnels met in April 1974 a remarkable feat of precision and planning. The Director of Public Works Mr David McDonald even fired the final blast.
The design was almost identical to the first Lion Rock Tunnel. Two 1.5-meter diameter water mains ran through it. This was a significant upgrade to the water infrastructure. Think of the sheer volume of water transported daily supplying homes and businesses. The project’s final cost reached a staggering $68 million.
The opening ceremony was a grand affair. Governor Sir Murray MacLehose himself drove through the tunnel. It’s a moment forever etched in Hong Kong’s history. A symbol of progress and determination. This is more than just a tunnel. It represents Hong Kong’s unwavering spirit its ability to overcome immense challenges. The Second Lion Rock Tunnel. A testament to ambition perseverance and a vision for the future.