The Transport Department said that the Government took over the Tai Lam Tunnel at 0.00am, and that the implementation of the new tolls and HKeToll has mostly been smooth so far.

Commissioner for Transport Angela Lee visited the Tai Lam Tunnel Administration Building in the small hours of today and was briefed by the operator's management on the switchover works conducted during its full closure.

She also oversaw the tests and preparations prior to the introduction of HKeToll at the control centre.

The transport chief met tunnel management and engineering personnel of the operator and thanked the team for racing against time in completing the takeover work thoroughly, efficiently and smoothly.

Ms Lee was glad to note that the tunnel reopened at 5am as scheduled with the launch of HKeToll. She appreciated the tireless efforts of the multidisciplinary team comprising the Transport Department, the Highways Department and the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department in completing the necessary drills as well as installing adequate traffic signs and road markings, providing motorists with a smoother road experience.

The Transport Department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre has been closely monitoring the traffic conditions before and after the takeover of the tunnel, and the traffic in both directions has generally been smooth so far. In addition, the traffic of alternative routes, such as Tuen Mun Road and Tolo Highway, has largely been smooth.

The centre will closely monitor the overall traffic conditions on June 2, the first working day, including the application of time-varying tolls on private cars and motorcycles at the tunnel for the first time.

Ms Lee said that as motorists, transport trades and members of the public may take time to adapt to new routes and adjust their commuting habits, traffic flow and public transport services will be closely monitored in the vicinity of the tunnel.

Following the substantial reduction of tolls and the roll-out of HKeToll, the Transport Department hopes to make optimal use of the tunnel's spare capacity effectively to alleviate the busy traffic on alternative routes, such as Tuen Mun Road, thereby improving the flow of people and freight between the New Territories West/North and the urban areas, as well as achieving the objective of providing a smooth commute and bringing benefits to all sectors.