For presentation to
LegCo Panel on Planning, Land and Works
on 18 March 1997

FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR
ADDITIONAL CROSS-BORDER LINKS
(CROSSLINKS FURTHER STUDY)

PURPOSE

This paper informs Members of the Feasibility Study for Additional Cross-border Links, Stage one of which is shortly to commence.

BACKGROUND

To broadly assess the implications on Hong Kong of the Lingdingyang Bridge and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Western Corridor proposed by the Zhuhai and Shenzhen authorities respectively, a study known as the Crosslinks Study was undertaken by the Planning Department with the aid of specialist consultants. The Study commenced in September 1995 and was completed in May 1996. A copy of Final Report of the Study [ entitled A Review of Hong Kong’s Capacity to Cope with Additional Traffic Movement Associated with Proposed New Cross-border Transport Links (CROSSLINKS) Final Report] was distributed to Members in July 1996.

The Crosslinks Study highlights concerns in respect of air quality (particularly in Tuen Mun) as well as water quality and ecological impacts in Deep Bay. It raises a number of questions on traffic forecast, highway engineering, environmental and land use impacts which need to be answered before decisions could be taken on the implementation of any of the crosslink projects. It also proposes a "response plan" approach to cater for different sets of circumstances. To answer the various questions, the Report recommends 3 stages of further investigations (i.e. the Crosslinks Further Study), comprising studies on, among other things, traffic forecast, capacities of existing border crossings, economic evaluation, environmental acceptability, land use and land acquisition, and engineering feasibility.

OBJECTIVES OF FURTHER STUDY

The overall objective of the Crosslinks Further Study is to investigate in greater detail, the feasibility and implications of building the additional crosslinks in terms of economic, environment, land use, transport and highway engineering feasibility. It aims to provide inputs for refining the landing area locations and the route corridor networks proposed in the Crosslinks Study and for establishing a firmer basis for making decisions on the crosslinks proposals.

APPROACH OF STUDY

The three stages of the Crosslinks Further Study would address different issues raised in the Crosslinks Study. The scope of the three stages is as follows :

Stage One - Data Review and Traffic Demand Forecast - is to carry out a more accurate assessment on traffic movement by verifying freight statistics and traffic forecasts, traffic demand, traffic characteristics and capacity of the existing border crossings with a view to proposing a preferred Crosslinks scenario and response plan for more detailed examination and verification in Stages Two and Three of the Study.

Stage Two - Investigations on Environment, Land Use Planning and Land Acquisition Issues - is to assess in greater detail the territory-wide implications of the project proposals, in terms of environment, land acquisition, land use planning, preliminary engineering feasibility/preliminary design and economic viability.

Stage Three - Highway Engineering Feasibility and Detailed Impact Assessments - is to examine the detailed feasibility and impact assessments of the project proposals prior to detailed design and construction contract preparation.

SCOPE OF STAGE ONE STUDY

A study brief for Stage One of the Crosslinks Further Study has been prepared. It includes the following tasks:

    verify the freight and traffic statistics and forecasts from various available sources in Hong Kong;

    compare freight and traffic statistics and forecasts of Shenzhen and Zhuhai with those of Hong Kong;

    conduct necessary surveys and traffic counts on goods and passenger vehicles to establish the characteristics of cross-border travel;

    develop appropriate transport models for explaining characteristics of cross-border travel and test different scenarios of cross-border movement of people and goods;

    study the implications of regional economic development on the cross-border movement of people and goods;

    assess the capacity of the existing road border crossing facilities;

    investigate the need and opportunities for improving the capacity of the existing road border crossing facilities;

    undertake broad economic and risks assessments for the two proposed crosslinks and the associated transport infrastructure; and

    define and appraise any other specific issues pertinent to the next stages of the Crosslinks Further Study.

PROGRAMME AND ESTIMATED COST

We intend to start Stage One of the Crosslinks Further Study in April 1997 which will take about 18 months to complete. An outline programme for the Stage One Study is at Annex. We estimate the cost of the Stage One Study to be about HK$ 8 million.

We are preparing a study brief, and considering the timing, for the Stage Two Study. Overall, we expect the three stages of the Further Study to take more than three years to complete.

MANAGEMENT OF STUDY

The Crosslinks Further Study will be undertaken by multi-disciplinary consultancy firm(s). Day-to-day progress of the Stages One and Two will be monitored by Planning Department and Stage Three by Highways Department.

A technical group under the Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee Roads and Bridges Panel comprising personnel from Beijing, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Hong Kong has been set up to hold technical discussions and exchange information relating to the further studies and investigations on the cross-border road projects.

Planning, Environment and Lands Branch
March 1997.
legco.doc

Last Updated on 21 August 1998