ENG-2004 — Page 322

272 Transport

To coordinate and monitor excavation works more effectively and to minimise traffic disruption, the Highways Department has established a three-tier communication system with participants ranging from high level management to working level staff of utility companies and relevant government departments. A computerised utility management system has been in use since 1997 to improve coordination and minimise inconvenience to road users.

In order to strengthen controls on excavation works and to minimise delays and inconvenience to the public, the Land (Miscellaneous Provision) Ordinance was amended by the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Ordinance 2003, with effect from April 1, 2004. The amended Land (Miscellaneous Provision) Ordinance provides the Government with the legal framework to take enforcement action against violations of the ordinance and to charge for excavation permit fees. In addition, a daily economic cost is charged to permittees who cannot complete their excavations in carriageways within the permit period.

A dedicated audit inspection team has been established in the Highways Department to ensure that excavation works are properly carried out. An enforcement team has also been set up to collect evidence and initiate prosecution when the ordinance is violated.

To recover the administrative cost for issuing excavation permits and carrying out audit inspections, the Government charges fees according to the 'user-pays' principle. The issue fee for an excavation permit on public roads is $1,860 and a daily fee of $32 is charged to cover each day of the excavation. A further fee of $590 is charged for issuing an extension to the excavation permit.

For any delay without an acceptable reason, a daily economic cost is charged. For strategic streets, sensitive streets and other streets, the respective economic cost is $18,000, $7,000 and $1,500 per day of such extension. With the charging system, all excavation works promoters are encouraged to carry out better planning and to complete excavation works on public roads on time.

Existing Control Area

The Tsing Ma Control Area (TMCA), which was opened to traffic in May 1997, is a 21-kilometre expressway network comprising the Tsing Kwai Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Cheung Tsing Highway, North-West Tsing Yi Interchange, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Lantau Link, Ting Kau Bridge, part of the North Lantau Highway and Ma Wan Road. The TMCA is operated and maintained by a private management

contractor.

The Lantau Link has a one-way toll collection arrangement. Vehicles travelling on the Lantau Link are charged twice the single journey toll when they return from Lantau Island or enter Ma Wan. The double toll ranges from $20 to $80 for different types of vehicles. A daily average of 48 000 vehicles used the Lantau Link in 2004.