XN000022-1995-10-18 — Page 80

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Traffic congestion at Cross Harbour Tunnel entrance

Following is a question by the Hon Chim Pui-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

In view of the frequent traffic congestion at the Hong Kong entrance to the Cross Harbour Tunnel, will the Government inform this Council of the following:

Reply:

(a) whether there is any requirement stipulating that buses and heavy vehicles must use the left carriageway at the entrance on Hong Kong Island; if so, what the reasons are;

(b) if the answer to (a) is in the affirmative, whether the Government has reviewed such a requirement to ensure that it will not cause confusion to the motorists; and

(c) whether it will study the feasibility of changing such a requirement?

Mr President,

(a) It is stipulated in By-law 13 of the Cross Harbour Tunnel By-laws that buses and other heavy vehicles must use only the left hand lanes in the tunnel, except when otherwise directed by uniformed tunnel staff. The purpose is to keep slower moving vehicles in the inside lane for traffic management reasons and for safety reasons. For example, this would facilitate bus passengers alighting on the kerb side in case of emergencies.

(b) The requirement for heavy vehicles to use the left hand lane is sign posted at the tunnel entrances. This practice is well-known and has not caused any confusion to motorists. The main cause of traffic congestion at the Hong Kong entrance to the Cross Harbour Tunnel is not the movement of heavy vehicles to the left hand lane, but the fact that the tunnel itself is operating far beyond its design capacity.

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