Three cross-boundary infrastructure projects completed

The Government announces today (January 14) that to further facilitate the flow of passengers and goods between Hong Kong and the Mainland, three cross-boundary infrastructure projects have been completed and will be commissioned on January 19.

The new boundary bridge between the Lok Ma Chau and Huanggang Control Points will be opened to southbound (towards Hong Kong) goods vehicle traffic from 10am and to northbound (towards Shenzhen) goods vehicle traffic from 11am. The new boundary bridge between the Sha Tau Kok and Shatoujiao Control Points will be opened to traffic at 10am on the same day. The extended portion of the Lo Wu Cross-boundary Footbridge will be open for use from 6.30am that morning. 

The new dual two-lane boundary bridge at Lok Ma Chau runs side-by-side to the east of the existing dual two-lane boundary bridge. When opened to traffic, the new bridge will be used exclusively by goods vehicles, while the existing bridge will be used by passenger vehicles only. Passenger vehicles (including private cars) may continue to make use of an existing one-lane flyover at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point to access the northbound carriageway of the existing bridge.

"Upon commissioning of the new boundary bridge at Lok Ma Chau, passenger vehicles and goods vehicles will be segregated and additional road capacity will be available, thus improving traffic flow and safety," a Government spokesman said.

"The Sha Tau Kok crossing will have a new two-lane boundary bridge, to the west of the existing bridge," the spokesman said. "Upon opening on the morning of January 19, the new bridge will be used exclusively by northbound traffic while the existing bridge will be used by southbound traffic only.

"The project will improve the manoeuvring of northbound vehicles, particularly heavy vehicles, on the Shenzhen side of the crossing and add to the capacity of the existing bridge," the spokesman added. "By segregating southbound and northbound traffic, traffic flow and safety will be enhanced." Northbound goods vehicles are advised to keep to the left traffic lane and passenger vehicles to the right lane on the new bridge.

The speed limit on both the Lok Ma Chau and Sha Tau Kok new boundary bridges is 50km per hour, same as that on the two existing boundary bridges. The spokesman appealed to motorists using the two crossings to follow the new signage and direction of the Control Point staff on site.

Following the completion of the improvement works, the entire Lo Wu Cross-boundary Footbridge will be enclosed with glazing and cladding and widened by seven metres. "The footbridge will have a new outlook. When the extended portion is opened for use on January 19, it will offer a more comfortable environment for cross-boundary travellers," the spokesman said.

"With the completion of the three projects, vehicles and people can move across the boundary more smoothly than before. This will help us better meet the ever-growing cross-boundary traffic demand resulting from the increasing interchange and cooperation between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta Region," the spokesman said.

Ends/Friday, January 14, 2005