It has been more than two months since the Blue Tunnel and the Cross Bay Link were opened to traffic. The Bureau of Transport and Logistics pointed out that about 22% to 28% of the traffic flow of the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel was successfully diverted in the first month of operation, but it was lower than the original estimated 30% to 40% of the traffic flow.
In the Legislative Council Transport Affairs Committee today (17th), Tian Beichen, a member of the political roundtable, pointed out that the traffic flow of the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel has only decreased from 300 vehicles to 2,700 vehicles per hour during the morning rush hour: "(cost) 15 billion to divide 300 vehicles? Ideal and There are always some discrepancies in reality, but this one doesn’t seem to be the case.”
Another member of parliament is concerned that after the development project of Tseung Kwan O District 137 is occupied, the two tunnels may not be able to bear the additional traffic; the Transport Department responded that the diversion effect has been within expectations, and the pre-flow capacity is also in line with the development of Tseung Kwan O District 137. When Route 6 is fully completed After that, the demand for blue tunnels will increase significantly.
▼The Blue Tunnel and the Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Bridge will be officially opened to traffic on December 11▼
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Tian Beichen pointed out that the Janglan Tunnel and related projects cost 15 billion yuan. According to the cost, it should be expected to divert half of the traffic flow of the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, that is, about 1,500 vehicles per hour. Even if it fails to achieve half, diverting 1,000 vehicles is still acceptable.
However, he pointed out that according to the statistics of the Transport Department, the traffic flow per hour of the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel has been reduced from more than 3,000 vehicles to over 2,700 vehicles in the morning peak hours, still exceeding the design volume of 2,600 vehicles. ?There is always some discrepancy between the ideal and the reality, but this seems to be not the case.”
The Traffic Affairs Committee of the Legislative Council discusses the situation after the opening of the Blue Tunnel. The picture shows Tian Beichen.
(Photo by Xia Jialang)
Ngan Man-yu, member of the Legislative Council of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of the United Nations, believes that the relevant data of the Transport Department are misleading, because the traffic queue is shortened and the speed of the vehicle is increased. Due to payment and other factors, it is believed that the figures fail to reflect the effectiveness of diverting the blue tunnels.
He also pointed out that there are still many vehicles queuing up to wait for the petrol station to enter the steam station at the moment when the Blue Tunnel exits Cha Kwo Ling Road, causing congestion.
She Tianxiang, Assistant Director of the Transport Department (Transportation Project), responded that the initial diversion of the Blue Tunnel is expected, and the overall traffic needs will be paid attention to, and the capacity has been reserved for future development. Especially after the completion of the Tseung Kwan O District 137, the Blue Tunnel demand has increased significantly, coupled with the need for Route 6 after the full opening of Route 6 in 2026.
He also said that it is difficult to accurately analyze the diversion effect, but he believes that the overall driving time is actually the same after no parking fee is required. As for the T2 trunk road and the Cha Kwo Ling tunnel project, there are engineering problems, and the relevant engineering departments are doing their best to meet the requirements. The target of completion in 2026.
Mak Chun-yu, deputy secretary-general of the Transport and Logistics Bureau, said that after the opening of the Blue Tunnel, he has closely monitored the traffic conditions of Lam Tin and Cha Kwo Ling Roads, describing that the current traffic capacity is smooth enough to cope with the opening to traffic, and emphasized that the authorities have stepped up publicity , To crack down on illegal parking, road improvement projects have also been carried out, such as setting up exclusive lanes at Wai Fat Road on Wai Yip Street to turn into Kwun Tong Bypass, etc., and adjusting related lights.
▼December 12th at 8:00am, Tseung Kwan O Tunnel exit Kowloon car-free queue▼
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Jianglan Tunnel｜The traffic flow is less than half of the design capacity. The diversion is less than expected : Bicycle path and footpath have been closed to Jianglan Tunnel｜On the first working day, the roundabout is unblocked during the off-work period. No congestion in the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel.
