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The final section of Route 3 trunk road network will be opened for traffic from 3.30 pm next Monday (May 25).
This key segment, known as Route 3 (Country Park Section) (CPS), includes Tai Lam Tunnel and the 6.3-kilometre Yuen Long Approach Road which is an expressway extending to Au Tau Interchange.
Speaking on the opening today (Monday), a government spokesman said: "Route 3 (CPS) helps relieve growing traffic between northwest New Territories (NT) and the urban areas.
"The journey time needed for travelling between Yuen Long and the urban areas will be significantly reduced upon the opening of the entire Route 3.
"With the provision of this alternative route, congestion along other major routes, Tolo Highway and Tuen Mun Road, will be much improved."
Route 3 (CPS) is a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) project. The BOT franchise was awarded by the Government to Route 3 (CPS) Company Limited to construct and operate Route 3 (CPS) for a period of 30 years starting from the date of commencement of construction (May 1995).
The company is a joint venture between Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited, Bank of China Group Investment Limited, China Resources (Holdings) Company Limited and China Travel Service (Holdings) HK Limited.
Construction of the project has been awarded to Route 3 Contractors Consortium, comprising Nishimatsu Construction Company Limited and Dragages et Travaux Publics (HK) Limited, with Gammon Construction Limited as the principal subcontractor.
The spokesman noted that special traffic and public transport arrangements will be implemented to tie in with the opening of Route 3 (CPS).
Traffic arrangements
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Tai Lam Tunnel, 3.8 kilometres in length, comprises two tunnel tubes, each carries a three-lane carriageway.
A toll charge is required for motorists using Tai Lam Tunnel. The toll per single journey for private cars and taxis will be $15. (see Annex A)
The southern portal of the tunnel links with Ting Kau Bridge and is attached to two ramps connecting Tuen Mun Road bothbounds to the east of Ting Kau Interchange.
The northern portal of the tunnel, beyond the toll plaza, is connected to an unnamed road linking Kam Sheung Road in Shek Kong and a dual three-lane expressway.
The new expressway extends all the way through to Au Tau Interchange, with two slip roads connecting Kam Tin Road bothbounds.
Vehicles at Au Tau Interchange can access NT North through San Tin Highway, or proceed via Pok Oi Roundabout to Yuen Long Town Centre, Tin Shui Wai and Tuen Mun (North).
Motorists can access Tai Lam Tunnel via the following routes:
* From urban areas and Kwai Chung -- via either Ting Kau Bridge or Tuen Mun Road;
* From Tsuen Wan and Tsing Yi East -- via Tuen Mun Road;
* From Tsing Yi Central -- via Ting Kau Bridge;
* From NT North -- via San Tin Highway;
* From Yuen Long Town Centre -- via Castle Peak Road and Pok Oi Roundabout;
* From Tin Shui Wai and Tuen Mun North -- via Yuen Long Highway and Pok Oi Roundabout;
* From Kam Tin -- via Kam Tin Road; and
* From Shek Kong -- via Kam Sheung Road and an unnamed road leading to the toll plaza.
However, the spokesman advised motorists from NT North to continue to use San Tam Road when approaching Fairview Park for access to Yuen Long via Au Tau Roundabout.
"This is a temporary arrangement for regulating traffic at Pok Oi Roundabout before the completion of a direct and convenient linkage, Pok Oi Flyover, in early 1999.
"Sufficient traffic signs will be available to guide motorists," he added.
Upon opening, the following speed limits will be imposed on various sections of Route 3 (CPS):
* 100 kilometres per hour (km/h) on the new expressway;
* 80 km/h in Tai Lam Tunnel and on the slip roads at Au Tau Interchange;
* 70 km/h on the slip roads at Ting Kau Interchange; and
* 50 km/h on the unnamed road to Kam Sheung Road, associated slip roads connecting Kam Tin Road and the slip roads between Au Tau Interchange and Pok Oi Roundabout.
Traffic signs will be erected to advise motorists on the appropriate speed limit.
The spokesman reminded motorists to observe the general driving rules of expressways when travelling on Route 3 (CPS). It includes:
* Keep to the left lane unless overtaking another vehicle;
* Medium and heavy goods vehicles and buses are not allowed to drive on fast lane; and
* Do not U-turn or reverse.
Ting Kau Bridge may be temporarily closed in case of emergency or when there are strong winds.
The spokesman urged all motorists to pay attention and comply to instructions given by the variable message signs at the southern portal of Tai Lam Tunnel to see if diversion to Tuen Mun Road will be necessary.
Public transport arrangements
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On public transport, NT taxis will be allowed to use Route 3 (CPS), including Tai Lam Tunnel.
However, NT taxis will be prohibited from using Ting Kau Bridge until Tsing Yi Airport Railway Station commissioned as they are only allowed to provide services for the rail station and the new airport at Chek Lap Kok.
Appropriate traffic signs will be installed at the southern exit of Tai Lam Tunnel ahead of Ting Kau Bridge, giving advance notice to taxis drivers.
The spokesman also noted that a return toll will not be necessary as there are alternative routes for taxi drivers.
On May 26, there will be a re-organisation of bus routes originated from Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long.
A total of nine bus routes will be diverted to operate via the new expressway instead of Tuen Mun Road and Castle Peak Road. These bus routes include:
(1) Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB)
* 64M (Tin Yiu Estate - Tsuen Wan MTR Station)
* 68M (Long Ping Estate - Kwai Shing Circuit)
* 68X (Yuen Long (East) - Jordan Road Ferry Pier)
* 69M (Tin Shui Estate - Kwai Fong MTR Station)
* 69X (Tin Shui Estate - Jordan Road Ferry Pier)
* 269B (Tin Shui Wai Town Centre - Hung Hom Ferry Pier)
* 269C (Tin Shui Wai Town Centre - Kwun Tong Ferry Pier)
* 968 (Yuen Long (West) - Causeway Bay/ Tin Hau)
(2) Citybus (CTB)
* 969 (Tin Shui Wai Town Centre - Causeway Bay/Moreton Terrace)
Bus routes no.64M, 68M, 68X, 69M and 69X will no longer pass through Tuen Mun Town Centre. Bus fares for these routes will be reduced following a reduction in journey distance (see Annex B).
On the same day, three existing KMB routes operating via Tuen Mun Road will be cancelled. These include:
* 68 (Yuen Long (East) - Sham Shui Po)
* 68A (Long Ping Estate - Sham Shui Po)
* 268B (Yuen Long (East) - Star Ferry Pier)
Instead, KMB has drawn up two new routes to meet the traffic demand for residents along the section of Castle Peak Road between Yuen Long and Tuen Mun. These bus routes will operate via Tuen Mun Road, including:
* 63M (Yuen Long (East) - Tsing Yi Airport Railway Station). It will temporarily terminate at Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier until Airport Railway (Tung Chung Line) commissioned.
* 63X (Tin Tze Estate - Jordan Road Ferry Pier)
Commenting on the re-organisation, the spokesman said: "The journey time for bus routes diverted to operate via the new expressway will be reduced by about 10 minutes, resulting in a better and more efficient bus services for passengers.
"Moreover, for the convenience of passengers, a bus/ bus interchange will be provided at the toll plaza of Tai Lam Tunnel.
"It serves as a complement to the extensive public transportation network linking New Territories West and other areas in Hong Kong."
KMB passengers may interchange for urban bound KMB routes no.64M, 68M and 69M free of charge, or with a concessionary fare for routes no.68X and 69X at $3.50, routes no.269B and 269C at $7.0 and route no.968 at $11.50.
Interchanging for Yuen Long bound KMB routes at the toll plaza will be free of charge.
KMB passengers intending to change between buses should request bus captain for a transfer voucher when alighting at the front door of a bus.
On boarding another bus, passengers should put the transfer voucher together with the concessionary fare if required into the coin box.
To provide quality services for passengers, the interchange at Tai Lam Tunnel Toll Plaza will have shelters. All buses using the interchange will be air-conditioned.
The spokesman reminded all passengers to note the special arrangements at the bus/ bus interchange.
(Annex A)
Toll charges for Tai Lam Tunnel:
* Motor cycle, motor tricycle $10
* Private car, taxi $15
* Public light bus, private light bus $30
* Light goods vehicle $30
* Medium goods vehicle $40
* Heavy goods vehicle $60
* Public or private single-decked bus $30
* Public or private double decked bus $45
* Each additional axle of goods vehicle
in excess of two $20
(Annex B)
Existing and new bus fares:
Bus routes Existing fares New fares
64M $8.70 $8.40
($6.70)
68M $8.70 $8.40
($6.70)
68X $14.50 $12.50
($10.00)
69M $10.20 $9.10
($7.30)
69X $15.00 $13.00
($10.40)
268B $14.70 $16.50
(renamed as 269B)
269C $16.50 $16.50
968 $21.40 $21.40
63M (new route) -- $10.20
($7.30)
63X (new route) -- $14.50
($10.00)
* The charge in bracket is for non-air-conditioned bus services.
End/Monday, May 18, 1998
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