6
He added that to prevent any excessive traffic impact on the North Lantau Expressway, HKR had agreed with the Government that use of the tunnel would be restricted to residential coach service and other services vehicles.
The Government would have the right to impose financial penalties on the Company for any default or breach of the enabling Ordinance during the operating period.
In line with the Outlying Islands Sewerage Masterplan to improve the quality of the adjacent waters, it was also intended that the tunnel would carry a public sewer for the purpose of transferring sewage from Peng Chau and Discovery Bay to the Siu Ho Wan Sewage Treatment Works, the spokesman said,
For this private project, the Company would need to pay to the Government the usual premium for the wayleave and a royalty for the construction and operation of the private tunnel, he added.
HKR has completed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in March 1996 on the road and tunnel link. The study concluded that the chosen alignment was environmentally acceptable. The EIA, together with mitigation measures, were endorsed by the EIA Sub-committee of the Advisory Council on the Environment on April 1 this year.
It is estimated that the construction of the tunnel and associated road link will take about two-and-a-half years to complete.
End
Home Affairs officials to visit Beijing
The Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Shelley Lau, is leading a Home Affairs Department delegation on a four-day visit to Beijing today (Wednesday).
They will meet officials of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau and Ministry of Public Security.
District administration, hotel licensing, environmental improvement and emergency co-ordination would be among the topics to be discussed.