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Following is a question by the Hon Daniel Lam and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (January 10) :
Question:
With the successive commissioning of a number of major tourist and other facilities, there is an increasing demand for land transport on Lantau Island. Furthermore, the road works with a cost of over $1 billion to widen Tung Chung Road, which links North and South Lantau, will be completed in 2007. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether Tung Chung Road will be fully open to all vehicles upon the completion of the above project so as to facilitate movements of local residents; if not, of the reasons for that; and
(b) whether it plans to widen South Lantau Road for the convenience of local residents; if not, of the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President:
(a) The improvement works to the section of Tung Chung Road between Lung Tseng Tau and Cheung Sha is now underway. Upon completion, Tung Chung Road will be upgraded to a dual two-lane carriageway.
At this stage, we do not have any plan to fully open Tung Chung Road to all vehicles. Upon completion of the above works, the Transport Department will closely monitor the traffic situation and if necessary review the associated traffic arrangements.
(b) South Lantau Road is already a dual two-lane carriageway. Widening works to sections near Cheung Sha School and Pui O, and improvement works to a section at Tong Fuk are currently underway. We expect that the overall operation of South Lantau Road will be further improved upon completion of the relevant road works in 2007.
Ends/Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:56
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