XN000022-1980-05-28 — Page 13

12

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980

HARBOUR TUNNEL CONGESTION UNDER STUDY

******

THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY IS CONSIDERING WAYS OF INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF THE EXISTING TUNNEL AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO COMMISSIONED CONSULTANTS TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ADDITIONAL HARBOUR CROSSINGS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES SAID TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON WONG LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR JONES SAID THE FIRST PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S STUDY WAS RELATED TO THE COMPANY'S INVESTIGATIONS AND WAS CONCERNED PARTICULARLY WITH THE CAPACITY OF THE ROAD SYSTEM AT BOTH ENDS OF THE TUNNEL TO ACCOMMODATE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC.

+THE LONG TERM GOVERNMENT STUDY WILL BE CONSIDERING A NUMBER OF OPTIONS, INCLUDING A WESTERN HARBOUR CHUSSING, A LEI YUE MUN BRIDGE AND THE EAST KOWLOON LINE OF THE MTR.

+ALL OF THEM WILL BE EVALUATED IN ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL, TRAFFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL TERMS TO DETERMINE THE OPTIMUM LOCATION FOR, AND THE FORM OF, ANY ADDITIONAL CROSSING,+ HE SAID.

HE NOTED THAT THE CONGESTION AT THE TUNNEL HAD SOMEWHAT IMPROVED SINCE THE OPENING OF THE MTR ACROSS THE HARBOUR.

+BEYOND THAT, IN THE SHORT TERM, THE ONLY WAY TO EASE THE CONGESTION IS TO INCREASE THE TUNNEL TOLLS AND THUS REDUCE THE DEMAND FOR ITS USE, BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN DIFFICULTIES WITH THIS IDEA, HE ADDED.

/13