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A new single two-lane carriageway of about 700 metres long between Nam Wai and Nam Pin Wai opened to traffic today (July 10) to enhance safety of motorists and the traffic flow at Nam Wai and Wo Mei areas.

The new carriageway is part of the Hiram's Highway Improvement Phase 3 - Improvement between Nam Wai and Ho Chung and Upgrading Local Access Roads.

A spokesman of the Highways Department said today: "The section of Hiram's Highway at Nam Wai was a traffic black spot with steep and sharp bends."

"The improvement works provide a 700-metre single two-lane carriageway for vehicles to bypass this section."

He said the new carriageway would substitute the existing section of Hiram's Highway between Nam Wai and Ho Chung, which would be retained as a local access road.

The improvement project also covers the construction of two pedestrian subways, two carparks and some local access roads to various areas including Heung Chung and Mok Tse Che. These works will be completed by the end of 2002.

The Hiram's Highway Improvement Phase 3 was commenced in March 1999 at a contract cost of $138.9 million.

Kowloon Motor Bus routes 92 and 96R; New World First Bus route 792; and green minibus routes 1, 1A, 1M, 1S, 12 and 101 heading for Sai Kung will be diverted via Hiram's Highway (northbound), New Hiram's Highway (northbound), Hiram's Highway/Nam Pin Wai Road roundabout and Hiram's Highway (northbound) before resuming their normal routeing.

The speed limit of the new road is 50 km per hour.

End/Wednesday, July 10, 2002

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