For Immediate Release
CILTHK Supports Trunk Road T4 and Associated
Works
Hong
Kong, 26th April 2024 - The Chartered Institute of Logistics and
Transport in Hong Kong (CILTHK) attended a briefing presented by the Civil
Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) on the Trunk Road T4 Road and associated works.
CILTHK
acknowledges the significance of the T4 Main Trunk Road and its associated
works in connecting the New Territories East with Kowloon and other regions to
cope with the anticipated population growth in Ma On Shan and North East New
Territories. Without the Trunk Road T4, the v/c ratio during morning peak hours
in sections of Tai Po Road (Shatin Section) is anticipated to be increased to
1.04-1.14 in 2030 and it could further be increased to 1.22-1.27 in 2041. That
indicates a significant traffic congestion.
With
the Truck Road T4, the v/c ratio during morning peak hours in sections of Tai
Po Road (Shatin Section) is anticipated to be 0.88-0.94 in 2030. It shows that
Trunk Road T4 could effectively alleviate traffic congestion and bring
significant improvements to the transportation in Shatin in next decade.
CILTHK
understands that the original proposal back in 2006 did not receive support
from the District Council at that time, however, this revised proposal that has
considered various concerns from the District Council, has already obtained
support from the District Council and other stakeholders.
CILTHK
is acknowledged that the construction cost of Trunk
Road T4 and related projects
is comparable to other recent projects, and aware that the
CEDD will implement cost control measures through management and contractual
means to ensure financial prudence. Moreover, the Trunk Road T4 and associated works hold significant time
saving benefits. Based on estimations, the project is expected to achieve time
saving benefit in construction cost recovery in approximately 13 years, making
it a worthwhile endeavour.
In
view of the project that could effectively improve traffic flow, reduce
commuting time, and enhance the transport environment in Shatin, CILTHK support
the Trunk Road T4 and
Associated Works and would like to put forward the following recommendations in
relation to the Trunk Road T4 and associated works:
- Considering that most Hong Kong citizens
rely on public transport, CILTHK suggests synchronously planning potential new
franchised bus routes to utilise the Trunk Road T4.
- With the continuous population growth in
the eastern and northern parts of the New Territories, the Shatin Bypass will
serve as a long-term solution to address traffic issues in the eastern New
Territories. The government should start the study of Shatin Bypass as soon as
possible.
- It is also key to ensure the traffic re-distribution between the Trunk
Road T4 and Ma On Shan/Sai Kung areas
has been addressed, with adequate road capacity provision to cater for the
future traffic demand along the Route 2 Tate's Cairn Highway
connecting the Trunk Road T4 and Ma On Shan