Route 11 passes through the EIA and some tunnels are built under Tai Lam Country Park, which may affect the ecology

The Government had previously planned to build Route 11. The Highways Department submitted an application for an EIA study outline for the project. The project includes the construction of a Lam Tei Tunnel with a length of about 4km and three two-way lines to connect Lam Tei Quarry and So Kwun Wat; 1.6km The long two-way four-lane Tai Lam Chung Tunnel connects So Kwun Wat and Tsing Lung Tau; the 1.4km long, three-lane Tsing Lung Bridge connects Tsing Lung Tau and North Lantau.

The document stated that some of the tunnel works will be under the Tai Lam Country Park, which may indirectly affect the habitat near the park, such as the potential drop in water level, which may lead to the depletion of groundwater sources and drying of water sources, affecting terrestrial and aquatic life.

In addition, the marine works of the Tsing Lung Bridge will cause permanent loss of natural marine habitat and affect water quality in the vicinity.

The document also states that the project is tentatively scheduled to be completed by 2036.

Alignment and details of Route 11 (Summary picture of EIA study)

According to the application for the EIA study summary, Route 11 (Yuen Long to North Lantau) aims to strengthen the connection between the northwest New Territories and North Lantau, and provide a third road access to Lantau, including tunnels, viaducts, surface roads and long-span suspension bridges, connecting several strategic roads.

The document stated that the total length of the project is about 20 kilometers, covering Lam Tei, So Kwun Wat, Tai Lam, Tsing Lung Tau and North Lantau, including the Lam Tei Tunnel, which is about 4 kilometers long and has two routes and three lines, connecting the proposed Lam Tei Quarry Mine. The intersection of So Kwun Wat and So Kwun Wat; the 1.6-kilometer-long, dual-lane Tai Lam Chung Tunnel, which includes tunnels, viaducts, etc., to connect Tuen Mun Highway and the proposed interchange at So Kwun Wat; 1.4-kilometer long, The two-way three-lane cross-sea Tsing Lung Bridge spans the Hahang Channel and connects the proposed interchange between Tsing Lung Tau and North Lantau.

There is another about 1.9 km long, two-way two-lane So Kwun Wat Link Road, including tunnels and viaducts, to connect Tuen Mun Highway and the proposed interchange at So Kwun Wat.

The Highways Department signed a contract for the investigation and study of Route 11 (Yuen Long to North Lantau) with Arup Engineering Consultants earlier.

(Provided by the Information Services Department)

The document mentioned that part of the project is planned under the Tai Lam Country Park, and a tunnel scheme is adopted to avoid direct impact on the country park.

However, there may still be indirect impacts, including impacts on habitats near Tai Lam Country Park, such as a potential drop in water levels, which could lead to the depletion of groundwater and water sources, affecting both terrestrial and aquatic life.

In addition, since the proposed flyover section is located in Tsing Lung Tau and North Lantau, the landing site of the flyover will have a direct impact on nearby habitats, including mixed woodland, vegetation, intertidal and subtidal areas.

The Qinglong Bridge project needs to reclaim the sea to build the bridge tower

In addition, the marine works for the construction of the Tsing Lung Bridge, including reclamation for the construction of the bridge pylons, will permanently lose the natural marine habitat and affect the water quality in the vicinity; the mangrove forests in Ma Wan may also be affected by the water quality.

The document states that the investigation and study has been launched in September 2021, and the target is to be completed within 48 months; the works related to the construction of the project are tentatively scheduled to be completed before 2036, and the related works will be divided by the contractors appointed by each engineering contract. stage.

Route 11 survey and research consultancy contract awarded to Arup to review the project time and completion priority Highways Department this year's road maintenance cost of 1.65 billion Subsidence of the road next to the German tunnel exceeds the standard, the road surface is uneven, and the road is trapped. Over 3,400 complaints were received in the first August. Road maintenance costs reached 1.65 billion yuan.