XN000022-1977-03-18 — Page 2

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1977

$4.6 MILLION INTERCHANGE FOR SHA TIN

*****

WORK IS TO START SOON ON A $4.6 MILLION ROAD INTERCHANGE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD THAT WILL PROVIDE A VITAL TRAFFIC LINK TO SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

THE PROJECT, WHICH IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HIGHWAYS OFFICE (NEW TERRITORIES), IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.

THE INTERCHANGE HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO LINK UP WITH A PLANNED DISTRIBUTOR ROAD WHICH WILL RUN INTO SHA TIN,

WORK ON THIS PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START LATER THIS YEAR.

A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO RESUME JUST ON 70,000 SQUARE FEET OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND TO MAKE WAY FOR THE INTERCHANGE PROJECT, AND ONE MONTH'S NOTICE OF THE RESUMPTION OF THE LAND WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

HE ADDED THAT THE ROAD PROJECT WOULD BRING GREAT TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS TO THE AREA.

WHEN COMPLETED, THE PROJECT WOULD:

*

IMPROVE ACCESS TO NEW DEVELOPMENT AREAS ALONG LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD IN THE VICINITY OF THE INTERCHANGE.

* AVOID SEVERE DISRUPTION TO TRAFFIC ALONG LION ROCK TUNNEL

ROAD.

* COPE WITH THE PLANNED OPENING OF THE SHA TIN RACECOURSE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID ONLY ONE FAMILY WAS INVOLVED IN THE CLEARANCE AND THEY WOULD BE OFFERED PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE DISTRICT, IF ELIGIBLE.

EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION WOULD ALSO BE PAID TO OWNERS OF A RESTAURANT'AND A SHOP AFFECTED.

+ THE CLEARANCE WILL ALSO INVOLVE PAYMENTS OF COMPENSATION FOR CROPS, FRUIT TREES, PINE TREES, MISCELLANEOUS IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS WELLS, IRRIGATION PIPES AND FENCES AND EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FOR CULTIVATORS, HE ADDED.

12