More space: A section of Tuen Mun Road will be widened to meet traffic demand.

Works to widen Tuen Mun Road from four to six lanes near Tsing Tin Interchange will be completed by 2008 to relieve traffic pressure at the town centre section, Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao says. A consultancy study to explore possible traffic improvements to this section will be completed by the middle of the year.

She told lawmakers today three possible long-term traffic infrastructure development options, including the Tuen Mun Eastern Bypass, have been identified in the Northwest New Territories Traffic & Infrastructure Review 2004. The bypass will be a four-lane carriageway linking Lam Tei and Tuen Mun town centre, with an approximate maximum capacity of 78,000 vehicle trips a day.

Existing road networks in the northwest New Territories together with the planned road projects will cope with traffic demand up to 2016, so Dr Liao said there is no need to complete any new highways in the three options before then.

To ensure timely implementation of the required highway packages, resources have been allocated for conducting investigations on the new packages, including the bypass. Once the way forward for proposed developments like the Northwest New Territories Strategic Growth Areas, the Lantau Logistics Park and the new container terminal becomes clear, the best highway package will be implemented as soon as possible.