Infrastructure & Logistics

Advisory group backs trial deferral

(February 25, 2014)

The Transport Advisory Committee has backed the Government's decision to put the toll adjustment trial scheme on hold.
 
The committee was briefed today on the Government's latest plans for improving traffic distribution through the harbour tunnels.
 
Committee chairman Larry Kwok said members noted views received during the Government’s public consultation last year on three proposed toll adjustment options were diverse, and there was no clear indication of support for any option.
 
"District Councils were concerned about the capacity of the Eastern Harbour Crossing and its nearby roads to absorb additional traffic, and whether the traffic diverted to the Eastern Harbour Crossing would cause congestion in their districts."
 
Mr Kwok noted the additional traffic diverted to the Eastern Harbour Crossing under the trial scheme may bring the tunnel's throughput very close to its design capacity, and could overburden the crossing and its connecting roads, as traffic there has been increasing in the past two years.
 
Members were also briefed on the Government's plan to formulate a strategy to rationalise traffic distribution among the tunnels when the Central-Wan Chai Bypass is commissioned in 2017, by which time the Eastern Harbour Crossing's ownership will have been transferred to the Government.