XN000022-1994-05-18 — Page 2

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1994

SCHEME TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN WESTERN

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THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A REVISED SCHEME FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-WAY ROAD LINK BETWEEN SMITHFIELD AND POK FU LAM ROAD TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND TO COPE WITH THE INCREASE IN TRAFFIC UPON THE OPENING OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.

THE PROPOSED WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VEHICULAR UNDERPASS AND A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY ACROSS POK FU LAM ROAD, AN BLEVATED STRUCTURE ALONG THE ROUTE OF THE NEW ROAD AND AN ELEVATED ROAD TO IMPROVE THE JUNCTIONS BETWEEN MOUNT DAVIS ROAD AND POK FU LAM ROAD.

IT IS EXPECTED THE WORKS WILL COMMENCE IN AUGUST 1994 AND BE COMPLETED IN JUNE 1997 FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF BELCHER BAY LINK AND ROCK HILL STREET EXTENSION.

THE SCHEME HAS BEEN FURTHER DEVELOPED SINCE IT WAS FIRST GAZETTED LAST OCTOBER.

THE MODIFICATIONS INCLUDE THE WESTWARD SHIFTING OF THE ALIGNMENT OF AN ELEVATED LINK BETWEEN POK FU LAM ROAD AND MOUNT DAVIS ROAD TO PRESERVE THE WOODLAND AND MOST OF THE GRAVES IN THE AREA.

THE FOOTWAY OUTSIDE KENNEDY TOWN PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL HAS BEEN WIDENED TO ACCOMMODATE LOADING AND UNLOADING ACTIVITIES AND THE EXISTING LAYBY AT POK FU LAM ROAD WILL BE RETAINED.

AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROJECT WAS CARRIED OUT AND APPROPRIATE NOISE MITIGATION MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED

AS

RECOMMENDED.

DURING CONSTRUCTION THE CONTRACTOR HAS TO OBSERVE CONDITIONS SET FOR THE CONTROL OF DUST, NOISE AND SITE RUN-OFF.

A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/HONG KONG WEST.

VIEWS ON PROPERTY PRICES

LANDS, MR

TONY

THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND EASON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID HE HAS RECEIVED A LARGE BODY OF USEFUL OPINION AND PROPOSALS TO MODERATE PROPERTY PRICES AT MEETINGS WITH VARIOUS GROUPS IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

HE EXPRESSED HIS THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE MADE CONTRIBUTION IN THE CONSULTATION PROCESS AND NOTED THAT THERE IS CERTAIN CONSENSUS AMONG THOSE WHOM HE MET THAT AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION LIES IN AN INCREASE IN LAND SUPPLY TO SATISFY DEMANDS IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.

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