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The Transport Department today (February 4) announced that the section of Tung Chung Road between Lung Tseng Tau and Cheung Sha (near San Shek Wan) on Lantau Island would be fully opened to traffic with effect from 10am on Friday (February 6).
When the new road section opens, the existing road section between Pak Kung Au and Cheung Sha (near Cheung Sha Bridge) will be closed. All vehicles will be diverted to use the new road section between Pak Kung Au and San Shek Wan.
Motorists are reminded that the section of Tung Chung Road between Shek Mun Kap and San Shek Wan will remain as a Lantau Closed Road. All motor vehicles without a "Lantau Closed Road Permit" are prohibited from entering this road section which will continue to be designated as a daily prohibited zone for all goods vehicles with gross weight over 5.5 tonnes; and from 8am to 6pm for all motor vehicles, except franchised buses, Lantau taxis and those issued with a "Tung Chung Road Prohibited Zone Permit". Motorists may be prosecuted for entering Tung Chung Road if they do not have valid permits.
Motorists are also reminded that the speed limit on Tung Chung Road between Lung Tseng Tau and San Shek Wan will continue to be 30 km per hour.
"Due to the natural geographical situations, motorists on Tung Chung Road should observe the speed limit restriction and traffic signs, and should not overtake vehicles on the road sections with double white lines," a department spokesman said. "They should always stay in low gear when driving downhill, drive with extra care, pay attention to the road conditions and some minor works that may still being carried out along some pavement sections."
As for the franchised bus services, all bus departures of New Lantao Bus (NLB) Routes 3M (Tung Chung-Mui Wo), 11 (Tung Chung-Tai O), 23 (Tung Chung-Ngong Ping), as well as A35 and N35 (Airport-Mui Wo) from the terminuses after 9.15am on February 6 will be diverted to the new Tung Chung Road section.
Upon the use of the new road section, Route 3M (Tung Chung-Mui Wo) will no longer operate along the section of South Lantau Road between Cheung Sha Bridge and San Shek Wan. Commuters can make use of the alternative service, NLB Route 11 (Tung Chung-Tai O), to travel to and from Tung Chung.
NLB has displayed notices at bus stops and inside bus compartments to inform passengers of the arrangement. Passengers may browse through NLB's website (www.newlantaobus.com) or call its hotline at 2984 9848 for more details.
Private car and motorcycle parking spaces and a taxi stand will be provided at the southern side of San Shek Wan roundabout.
The opening of the improved Tung Chung Road will mean convenience for South Lantau residents and business operators. Those who currently possess a valid "Lantau Closed Road Permit" issued by the Transport Department are eligible to apply for one "Tung Chung Road Prohibited Zone Permit" for each residential or business address so that they can drive the permitted vehicles on Tung Chung Road at all hours.
The spokesman also reminded tourism services operators that not more than 30 tour coaches would be allowed access to South Lantau via Tung Chung Road daily to facilitate tours to South Lantau. The operators must possess the concerned permits issued by the department which will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis.
For further information, please visit the department's website (www.td.gov.hk) or call 1823.
Ends/Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:01
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