New bypass for Ma On Shan

The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) had completed the construction of Road T7 in Ma On Shan to provide a bypass for traffic along the new town. The road will be opened to traffic in stages from August 17.

Speaking at the opening ceremony today (August 12), the Permanent Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works (Works), Mr Lo Yiu-ching, said the commissioning of Road T7 would provide fast and direct access linking the western and eastern parts of Ma On Shan new town.

"With its completion, traffic along the town centre can be diverted to this new road to relieve the burden of the existing road network in Ma On Shan," Mr Lo said.

"The 3.2 km-long dual two-lane carriageway also serves to open up development potential in the eastern fringe area of Ma On Shan new town," he added.

He noted that since the late 1980s, the capital investment which the Government has allocated for Ma On Shan's infrastructure, institutional and community facilities as well as public housing has already exceeded $17 billion.

The construction works also include the provision of noise mitigation measures to reduce traffic noise nuisance to nearby residents. These measures include the construction of 2.3 km-long noise semi-enclosures and 1.7 km-long noise barriers. The installation of 63,000 square metres of noise barriers are the largest ever in a single public works contract.

In conjunction with the construction of Road T7, extensive landscaping works were also carried out. A total of about 18 hectares of landscaped area will be provided and more than 900,000 plants will be planted.

Works, at a contract price of $1,386 million, began in January 2001 and were substantially completed in August 2004.

Also officiating at today's ceremony were the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Tsao Tak-kiang; Chairman of Sha Tin District Council, Mr Wai Kwok-hung; Project Manager of New Territories East Development Office of CEDD, Mr Chan Kwei-sang; Shatin District Officer (Acting), Miss Tse Wing-yee; Chief Executive of Maunsell Consultants Asia Ltd, Mr Tony Shum; Chairman and President of China Harbour Engineering Co (Group), Dr Liu Huai-yau and General Manager of the Overseas of China Harbour Engineering Co (Group), Dr Hu Jian-hua.

Ends/Thursday, August 12, 2004
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