The Tseung Kwan O Tunnel has experienced frequent traffic jams over the years, and residents have been affected from time to time. The Tseung Lam Tunnel and the Tseung Kwan O Cross-Bay Bridge, which were once delayed, are finally scheduled to open to traffic on December 11. The Transport Department said that it is expected to divert 30% to 40% of the traffic flow of the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel.
Sai Kung District Councilor Fong Kwok-shan, who has been paying close attention to the Tseung Kwan O District, said that the traffic flow of the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel has already exceeded its capacity, and residents have suffered from traffic jams for many years. I believe that the new road will indeed help divert traffic, but I am also worried that a new traffic bottleneck will appear.
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Traffic flow of Tseung Kwan O Tunnel exceeds the upper limit by 50%
The designed traffic volume of the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel is 2,600 vehicle trips per hour for the east and west directions. However, according to the Transport Department, the number of eastbound vehicles during the peak period in August this year reached 3,418, and the westbound vehicles also had 3,045 vehicles.
The former Transport and Housing Bureau cited data from 2021 when responding to questions from the Legislative Council in the middle of this year, acknowledging that the number of vehicles using the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel has exceeded the design capacity of the tunnel by 40% to 50% during peak hours on weekdays in the morning and evening.
Fang Guoshan said in an interview with "Hong Kong 01" today that whenever there is a traffic accident, even if it is a light collision, there will be serious congestion in Tseung Kwan O. Long distances can reach several kilometers. "Residents in Tseung Kwan O have suffered from traffic jams for many years."
▼Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel and Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Link▼
There may be a traffic jam at the intersection of Environmental Protection Avenue, Baoyi Road and Baoshun Road intersection
Ho Wai-kei, Assistant Director of the Transport Department, said at today's preview and briefing that citizens may use new roads to enter and exit the area around Lohas Sunrise and the industrial estate south of Tseung Kwan O. The traffic is smooth.
He also said that there is a driving time display at the tunnel entrance to show where the traffic is congested.
Due to the effect of diversion, Fang Guoshan also expects that 30% of the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel vehicles will be converted to the new road, and that the beneficiaries are not only the Tseung Kwan O residents, but also the Kowloon East area. A total of about 1.1 million residents in Kowloon East and Tseung Kwan O have benefited.
However, after opening to traffic, it is not without hidden worries. Fang Guoshan is worried that the intersection of Shek Kok Road and Huanhui Avenue, Huanao Road connecting the bridge, the intersection of Po Yip Road and Po Shun Road, Lei Yue Mun Road, and Cha Kwo Ling Road will respond to traffic changes. , and become a potential traffic bottleneck.
The give-way lane at the junction of Wai Yip Street and Wai Fat Street in Kwun Tong will be cancelled.
One of the projects of the Chiang Lam Tunnel is the Lam Tin Interchange connecting Cha Kwo Ling Road.
Ho Wai-kei admitted that the original design of Cha Kwo Ling Road did not connect the tunnel and the interchange at the beginning, but a detailed traffic assessment has been completed and a series of projects have been carried out. The project will be completed after it is opened to traffic. It is believed that there will be sufficient capacity.
He also pointed out that the junction of Wai Yip Street and Wai Fat Street was originally a yield line, but it will be canceled later, and vehicles can directly turn to the Kwun Tong Bypass.
In addition, the Transport Department will keep an eye on the traffic at tunnel entrances and exits, and adjust the timing of lights at intersections in a timely manner.
The police said that they will strictly enforce the law on Huan'ao Road, Baoyi Road, and Cha Kwo Ling Road on the day of and before the opening to traffic to maintain smooth traffic.
In addition, as many people from outside the district are expected to arrive on the first day of traffic opening, the public is urged to avoid visiting on the day as much as possible.
KMB and NWFB will open the Blue Tunnel to traffic on the next day. 5 bus lines will be operated only during peak hours. The Blue Tunnel and the Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Bridge will be opened to traffic on 12.11. 5 additional bus lines will not be considered for the time being. The Bay Bridge will open on December 11th. Drivers can use the Tseung Kwan O Cross-Bay Bridge for free, and the Jianglan Tunnel is planned to open to traffic on December 11th.