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LCQ11: Improvement works to Tung Chung Road
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     Following is a question by the Hon Leung Yiu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (December 10):

Question:

     Regarding Tung Chung Road, which is the only vehicular access connecting North and South Lantau, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the latest expected completion date of the improvement works to Tung Chung Road;

(b) whether the black rainstorm on June 7 this year, which caused landslides to occur over a vast area on Lantau Island, has led to any delay or over-spending in respect of the above works; and

(c) what measures have been put in place to prevent Tung Chung Road from being affected by inclement weather, reduce the cases of road closure, and shorten the time of such closures?

Reply:

President,

(a) The Highways Department (HyD) is carrying out improvement works at the section of Tung Chung Road between Lung Tseng Tau and Cheung Sha.  The works involve the widening of the road section from a single-lane road for two-way traffic to a single two-lane road for two-way traffic.  The widening works for the section between Lung Tseng Tau and Pak Kung Au (the Northern Section) have been completed.  The section was opened to traffic in March this year.  As for the section between Pak Kung Au and Cheung Sha (the Southern Section), HyD is constructing a new single two-lane road to replace the existing road.  The construction is expected to be completed early next year.

(b) and (c) The series of severe rainstorms from April to June this year, especially the torrential rainstorm on June 7, damaged the works of the Southern Section as they were still in progress and more prone to be affected by the inclement weather conditions.  This has seriously affected the works progress.  The Northern Section also suffered damage.  At present, HyD is stepping up the repair works and remaining road works of the Southern Section to meet the target of completing the construction of the Southern Section early next year.  When the widening works are completed, the concerned permanent facilities on Tung Chung Road will be able to withstand, in accordance with their design standards, inclement weather conditions such as rainstorms or typhoons.  Moreover, the widened Tung Chung Road will make it easier for traffic diversion in the case of emergency.  This will lower the chance of closing all the lanes on individual road sections.  As for the Southern Section, the existing road will be closed after the new one is opened to traffic.  However, in case of emergency, the closed road can be temporarily used for maintaining the north-south traffic on Lantau Island.

     According to the works contract, the contractor is responsible for the costs of repairing the road sections that are not yet completed.  The project has not exceeded its approved estimate despite the damage caused by the above rainstorms.

Ends/Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:51

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