Following is a question by the Hon Chan Han-pan and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, in the Legislative Council today (June 15):
 
Question:

     ​When strong wind conditions occur at the Lantau Link and Ting Kau Bridge in the Tsing Ma Control Area, high wind management measures (high wind measures) will be implemented in phases commensurate with prescribed wind speeds. In August 2018, the Highways Department updated the control standards under high wind measures by raising the minimum requirements on hourly mean wind speed for the implementation of different stages of high wind traffic management (the hourly mean wind speed under Stage I was raised from in excess of 40 kilometres per hour (kph) to in excess of 60 kph, and that under Stage II was raised from in excess of 65 kph to in excess of 75 kph). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the respective numbers of instances in each year since 2018 in which Stage I and Stage II of high wind traffic management were implemented by the authorities on the (i) Lantau Link and (ii) Ting Kau Bridge, and the number of instances in which traffic congestions occurred in the areas concerned while such measures were in force;

(2) of the respective numbers of instances in each year since 2018 in which high wind traffic management was implemented by the authorities on various sea-crossing bridges and roads, and the number of instances in which traffic congestions occurred in the areas concerned while such measures were in force; and

(3) whether it has assessed if there is a need to adjust the control standards for the high wind measures in the light of the traffic congestion situations mentioned in (1); whether it will consider installing wind barriers at the road sections concerned with a view to reducing the number of instances required for the implementation of high wind traffic management?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     To ensure the safety of motorists, high wind traffic management measures commensurate with the prescribed wind speeds will be implemented at cross-harbour bridges and roads in Hong Kong, including the Lantau Link and Ting Kau Bridge in Tsing Ma Control Area, Stonecutters Bridge, Shenzhen Bay Bridge and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Link Road (HKLR) under high wind. 
      
     My reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Chan Han-pan is as follows:
      
(1)&(2) From January to July 2018, there were altogether three instances of implementing Stage I High Wind Traffic Management (i.e. hourly mean wind speed in excess of 40 km per hour (kph)) on the Lantau Link and Ting Kau Bridge, two of which the Transport Department (TD) recorded traffic congestion of varying degrees.
 
     To minimise the impact of high wind traffic management measures on road users, the Government has made reference to international practice and revised the high wind traffic management measures for the Lantau Link and Ting Kau Bridge in August 2018. The revision brings the trigger wind speed value closer to the lower limit of the international standard, with a view to alleviating the impact on traffic while ensuring driving safety. Since then, from August 2018 to May 2022, there were two instances of implementing Stage I (i.e. 10-minute mean wind speed in excess of 60 kph) and three instances of implementing Stage II (i.e.10-minute mean wind speed in excess of 75 kph) High Wind Traffic Management on the Lantau Link and Ting Kau Bridge. As the high wind traffic management measures implemented during such periods only took effect after Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher had been issued, no traffic congestion was observed.
 
     From January 2018 to May 2022, there were altogether three instances of implementing Stage I High Wind Traffic Management on the Stonecutters Bridge; whilst the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and HZMB HKLR each recorded one instance of closure under high wind. No traffic congestion was observed when the aforesaid high wind traffic management was in force. Details of the implementation of high wind traffic management measures on the above bridges and roads over the past five years are set out at Annex.
      
     When high wind traffic management measures are in force, TD will inform motorists of relevant arrangements through various channels, including variable message signs installed at major roads and diversion points; and disseminate information to members of the public through press release and the mobile app "HKeMobility" for the public to make early plans for their trips. Overall speaking, the impact of the prevailing high wind traffic management measures of the various cross-harbour bridges and roads on the traffic is minimal.
      
(3) The commissioning of the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Tunnel in December 2020 has provided motorists with another option to access North Lantau. When high wind traffic management measures are implemented on the Lantau Link, the Tunnel may serve as an alternative route diverting traffic flow to and from Tung Chung, the airport and HZMB.
      
     The revised high wind traffic management measures for the Lantau Link and Ting Kau Bridge have effectively minimised the impact on traffic while ensuring driving safety. The Government will continue to monitor the implementation of high wind traffic management measures on cross-harbour bridges and roads. At this stage, the Government has no plan to further adjust the standard of high wind traffic management measures for the Lantau Link and Ting Kau Bridge, or explore the installation of wind barriers at these locations.

Ends/Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Issued at HKT 15:30

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