LegCo Panel on Transport
Contingency Strategies for the Closure of
Land Link To North Lantau and the New Airport
Before Airport Opening
Purpose
This paper briefs members on the contingency strategies for handling disruption of the land link to North Lantau and the new airport, viz. the Tsing Ma Control Area (TMCA) and the North Lantau Expressway, before the opening of the new airport in April 1998.
BACKGROUND
2. Since there will be only one land link to North Lantau and the new airport, it is important that contingency plans are developed so that disruption of land access as a result of, for example, traffic accidents or adverse weather conditions, will be handled effectively. The Transport Study for the New Airport (TRANSNA) recommends, inter alia, that a working committee should be established to work out detailed contingency plans and a high level committee should take the lead in handling the wider issues.
3. To this end, a Steering Group chaired by Transport Branch and comprising representatives from the Airport Authority, MTRC, and branches as well as departments concerned was set up in August 1996 to oversee the formulation of contingency plans and examine issues with broad implications such as cessation of both road and rail operations. The Steering Group is supported by two Working Groups. One is chaired by Transport Department and is responsible for developing contingency arrangements for handling disruption to road traffic. The other one is chaired by the MTRC dealing with service disruption on the Airport Railway (AR) system.
4. At its meeting on 11 March, the Transport Advisory Committee endorsed the contingency strategies set out in this paper.
Design of New Road Links
5. The new roads available for access to North Lantau and the new airport from mid-1997 to opening of the new airport are shown in Annex A. They comprise the following links :
Kwai Chung Viaduct
6. The Kwai Chung Viaduct is a dual four-lane expressway connecting the West Kowloon Expressway and the Rambler Channel Bridge. Vehicles may use the roundabout at Mei Foo and the ramps near Lai King to connect with the existing roads.
Rambler Channel Bridge
7. The Rambler Channel Bridge is a dual three-lane expressway linking up the Kwai Chung Viaduct and the Cheung Ching Tunnel.
Cheung Ching Tunnel
8. The Cheung Ching Tunnel consists of twin tubes each of which will have three traffic lanes linking the Rambler Channel Bridge and the west portal beneath Tsing Yi Road West. Access ramps are provided near the west portal to connect with Tsing Yi Road West.
Lantau Link
9. The Lantau Link consists of a suspension bridge (Tsing Ma Bridge), a viaduct (Ma Wan Viaduct), and a cable stayed bridge (Kap Shui Mun Bridge). On the upper deck of the Lantau Link is a dual three-lane expressway. Along the entire length of the Lantau Link, the two upper deck carriageways are separated by a 3.5 metre wide mesh under which is the AR Reserve. Since there is no crossover between the two carriageways and the ramps at the North West Tsing Yi Interchange have not been designed for reversible traffic flow, it will not be possible to implement contra-flow traffic arrangement on the upper deck.
10. The lower deck of the Lantau Link contains two single-lane carriageways which are separated by the AR Reserve in the middle. The south-side carriageway is for airport-bound traffic. While the north-side carriageway is planned to accommodate Kowloon-bound traffic, it is connected to the south-side carriageway at the Lantau end of the link and can be turned into an airport-bound carriageway if necessary. A cross-section diagram of the Lantau Link is at Annex B.
11. Although there are altogether eight traffic lanes on the Lantau Link, it can only hold a maximum of six-lane traffic including both stationary and moving traffic because of the design loading limit. In other words, the opening of a lower deck lane will necessitate the closure of an upper deck lane.
North Lantau Expressway (NLE)
12. The NLE is a dual three-lane expressway connecting Tung Chung New Town and the new airport at one end and the Lantau Link at the other. Along the expressway, there are emergency openings in the central divider at an interval of about 1.5 km. There is a single two-lane two-way utility service road running parallel along the south side of the NLE. The NLE and the utility service road are linked by three emergency crossovers with the eastern-most one located at Ta Pang Po. These crossovers, which presently permit only one lane of traffic with their current design, will be modified so as to permit the passage of two lanes of traffic. When traffic disruptions occur on the expressway, vehicles can be diverted to the utility service road where appropriate.
Channel Bridges connecting Lantau and Chek Lap Kok (CLK) Island
13. There are two channel road bridges linking Lantau and CLK Island. One is the western-most portion of the NLE connecting the Primary Access Road on CLK leading to the Air Passenger Terminal which is planned to open when the new airport commences operation. The other one is the Second Sea Channel Bridge which is a dual two-lane carriageway between Tung Chung New Town and CLK Island.
Vehicles and Passengers Affected during Road Traffic Disruption on TMCA and NLE
14. The number of vehicles that will be using the TMCA and the NLE and the number of passengers that will be travelling to North Lantau and the new airport using road-based transport modes before the opening of the new airport are estimated as follows:-
|
Estimated Traffic Flow in Dominant Direction in Peak Hour
Before Airport Opening |
|
Vehicles Affected
|
Passengers Affected
|
|
Kwai Chung Viaduct
|
180
|
1,700
|
|
Rambler Channel Bridge & Cheung Ching Tunnel
|
180
|
1,700
|
|
Lantau Link & NLE
|
200
|
1,900 |
15. We have adopted two guiding principles namely minimizing inconvenience to the travelling public and giving priority to airport-bound passengers in developing contingency strategies for individual scenarios. In drawing up detailed contingency transport arrangements, we will make the best use of available road space; introduce bus priority measures, where feasible; and provide emergency ferry services when required. We will also expedite recovery action and maintain close co-ordination between concerned parties in implementing the arrangements as well as making quick public announcements on them.
Contingency Strategies
16. The contingency strategies for complete or partial closure of the land link to North Lantau and the new airport are proposed to be as follows:
(a) Closure of the Kwai Chung Viaduct
17. In the event of a closure of the Kwai Chung Viaduct in either or both directions, vehicles travelling to or from the West Kowloon Expressway may use the following alternative routes for access to or from the Lantau Link :
- Lai Chi Kok Road, Kwai Chung Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Tsing Yi North Bridge and Tsing Yi Road West; or
- Lai Chi Kok Road, Kwai Chung Road, Kwai Ching Interchange, Tsing Yi South Bridge, Tsing Yi Road, Ching Hong Road and Tsing Yi Road West.
(b) Closure of the Rambler Channel Bridge and the Cheung Ching Tunnel
18. If all traffic lanes of the Rambler Channel Bridge and the Cheung Ching Tunnel are closed in either or both directions, vehicles travelling to or from the Kwai Chung Viaduct may use the following alternative routes for access to or from the Lantau Link :
- Tsuen Wan Road, Tsing Yi North Bridge and Tsing Yi Road West; or
- Kwai Ching Interchange, Tsing Yi South Bridge, Tsing Yi Road, Ching Hong Road and Tsing Yi Road West.
(c) Closure of Route 3 between west portal of Cheung Ching Tunnel and the Lantau Link
19. Before the opening of the Ting Kau Bridge in late 1997, special ferry service between Tsuen Wan and Tung Chung will be arranged when all traffic lanes of this section are closed in either or both direction. When the Ting Kau Bridge is open, vehicles travelling to or from the Kwai Chung Viaduct may use Tsuen Wan Road, Tuen Mun Road, Sham Tseng Interchange, Tuen Mun Road and the Ting Kau Bridge for access to the Lantau Link and vice versa.
(d) Closure of the Lantau Link
(i) for Reasons other than High Wind Conditions
20. If all traffic lanes in one or both directions on the upper deck are closed, vehicles will be diverted to the lower deck. There will not be any road capacity problem due to the low traffic volume before the opening of the new airport. In case of total closure of both upper and lower decks of the Lantau Link in either or both directions, special ferry service between Tsuen Wan and Tung Chung will be arranged. Shuttle bus services between Tung Chung and the new airport will be arranged.
(ii) High Wind Conditions
21. When wind speed reaches an hourly mean of 40 km (about Typhoon Signal No. 3), wind susceptible vehicles (i.e. motorcycles and vehicles of height exceeding 1.6m) will be diverted to the lower deck. When wind speed reaches an hourly mean of 65 km (about Typhoon Signal No. 8), all vehicles will be diverted to the lower deck. There will not be any problem with the road capacity in the above two cases before the opening of the new airport due to the low traffic volume (about 200 vehicles per peak hour in the dominant direction). The lower deck lanes will have enough capacity to cope with the displaced traffic. When wind speed reaches an hourly mean of 90 km, the Lantau Link may have to be closed to road traffic. Based on the measurements conducted by the Royal Observatory at Tsing Yi, partial or total closure of the Lantau Link because of high wind conditions may occur 10-20 times a year.
(e) Closure of the NLE
22. If disruptions occur in one direction in the section between the Lantau Link Toll Plaza and Ta Pang Po, contra-flow traffic arrangements will be implemented on the available carriageway. However, due to safety implications and the time needed to make preparations for implementation, this arrangement should only be used as a last resort for prolonged closure.
23. In the event that traffic disruptions occur on one carriageway in the section of the NLE between Ta Pang Po and Tung Chung New Town, vehicles will be accommodated by the remaining carriageway and the utility service road. The latter will be re-routed one-way for use by airport-bound traffic through the crossovers mentioned in paragraph 11 above. In the event of disruptions in one or both directions between Tung Chung New Town and the CLK Island, traffic will be diverted via local roads in Tung Chung New Town and the Second Sea Channel Bridge to and from the new airport.
24. Consideration will be given to converting the 3-metre wide hard shoulder into a traffic lane if circumstances allow. There will not be road capacity problem before the airport is open due to the low traffic volume.
25. In the event of disruption in both directions on the NLE between Lantau Link Toll Plaza and Tung Chung South Interchange, special ferry service between Tsuen Wan and Tung Chung will be arranged together with shuttle bus service between Tung Chung and the new airport using the Second Sea Channel Bridge.
(f) Closure of the two Channel Bridges linking CLK Island and Lantau
26. In the event of a complete closure of the two road bridges over the channel between CLK Island and Lantau, all external bus services will be terminated at Tung Chung Ferry Pier where a special ferry service between CLK and Tung Chung will be arranged.
(g) Closure of all traffic lanes on NLE between Lantau Link Toll Plaza and Ta Pang Po and two channel bridges linking Lantau and CLK Island
27. In the event of a complete closure of all traffic lanes on the NLE between the Lantau Link Toll Plaza and Ta Pang Po where the access to the utility service road lies as well as complete closure of two channel bridges linking Lantau and CLK Island, special ferry service between Tsuen Wan and CLK Island will be arranged. External buses to transfer passengers to Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier and shuttle bus services to CLK Ferry Pier will be arranged. Additionally, special ferry service between Tung Chung and CLK Island and shuttle bus services to Tung Chung Ferry Pier will be arranged.
28. A summary of the contingency strategies is at Annex C.
The Way Ahead
29. We will submit a further paper for Members consideration in mid-1997 covering the contingency strategies for closure of road and rail links after airport opening and other related issues.
Advice Sought
30. Members will be invited to endorse the contingency strategies described in paras. 16 to 28 above.
Transport Branch
Government Secretariat
TBCR 65/5/581/87
9 April 1997
Annex C
Contingency Scenarios and Summary of Contingency Strategies before Airport Opening
|
Scenario
|
Contingency Strategies
|
Estimated
Additional
Travelling Time
(minute)
|
|
1
|
Closure of Kwai Chung Viaduct in either or both directions
|
Divert traffic via Lai Chi Kok Road, Kwai Chung Road, Tsuen Wan Road and Tsing Yi North Bridge/ Tsing Yi South Bridge for access to and from Lantau Link
|
20-30
|
|
2
|
Closure of Rambler Channel Bridge and Cheung Ching Tunnel in either or both directions
|
Divert traffic via Tsuen Wan Road and Tsing Yi North Bridge/Tsing Yi South Bridge for access to and from Lantau Link
|
10-20
|
|
3
|
Closure of Route 3 between west portal of Cheung Ching Tunnel and Lantau Link in either or both directions
|
(i) Before opening of Ting Kau Bridge in late 1997:
Provide special ferry service between Tsuen Wan and Tung Chung
Divert external buses to transfer passengers to Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier
Extend CLK shuttle bus services from Tung Chung public transport interchange to Tung Chung Ferry Pier
|
40-60
|
|
|
(ii) After opening of Ting Kau Bridge in late 1997:
|
20-30
|
|
|
Divert traffic via Tsuen Wan Road, Tuen Mun Road, Sham Tseng Interchange and Ting Kau Bridge for access to and from Lantau Link
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4(a)
|
Closure of all airport-bound traffic lanes on upper deck of Lantau Link
|
Divert airport-bound traffic to lower deck lane(s)
|
about 5
|
|
4(b)
|
Closure of all Kowloon-bound traffic lanes on upper deck of Lantau Link
|
Divert Kowloon-bound traffic to lower deck lane
|
about 5
|
|
4(c)
|
Closure of all airport-bound traffic lanes on upper and lower decks of Lantau Link
|
Same strategies as (i) in Scenario 3
|
40-60
|
|
4(d)
|
Closure of all Kowloon-bound traffic lanes on upper and lower decks of Lantau Link
|
Same strategies as (i) in Scenario 3
|
40-60
|
|
4(e)
|
Complete closure of upper and lower decks of Lantau Link
|
Same strategies as (i) in Scenario 3
|
40-60
|
|
4(f)
|
High wind conditions (hourly mean wind speed _40 km/h but <65 km/h) affecting wind susceptible vehicles on Lantau Link
|
Divert wind susceptible vehicles to lower deck
|
about 5
|
|
4(g)
|
High wind conditions (hourly mean wind speed _65 km/h but <90 km/h) affecting all vehicles on Lantau Link
|
Divert all traffic to lower deck
|
about 5
|
|
5(a)
|
Closure of all traffic lanes on NLE between Lantau Link Toll Plaza and Ta Pang Po in both directions
|
Same strategies as (i) in Scenario 3
|
40-60
|
|
5(b)
|
Closure of all traffic lanes on NLE between Lantau Link Toll Plaza and Ta Pang Po in either direction
|
Implement contra-flow traffic arrangement on the available carriageway of NLE (using the hard shoulder as a traffic lane to provide two airport-bound lanes)
|
about 5
|
|
6(a)
|
Closure of all traffic lanes on NLE between Ta Pang Po and Tung Chung South Interchange in both directions
|
Divert traffic in both directions to utility service road
Apply strategies as (i) in Scenario 3, if necessary.
|
about 5
40-60
|
|
6(b)
|
Closure of all airport-bound traffic lanes on NLE between Ta Pang Po and Tung Chung South Interchange
|
Divert airport-bound traffic to utility service road (which will be re-routed one-way airport-bound to provide two lanes)
|
about 5
|
|
6(c)
|
Closure of all Kowloon-bound traffic lanes on NLE between Ta Pang Po and Tung Chung South Interchange
|
Divert airport-bound traffic to utility service road (which will be re-routed one-way airport-bound to provide two lanes)
Divert Kowloon-bound traffic to airport-bound carriageway of NLE
The hard shoulder of the airport-bound carriageway may be used for airport-bound traffic, with the adjacent lane closed as a buffer
|
negligible for Kowloon-bound traffic
about 5 for airport-bound traffic
|
|
7(a)
|
Closure of all traffic lanes on NLE between Tung Chung South Interchange and CLK Island in either or both directions
|
Divert traffic via local roads within Tung Chung New Town and Second Sea Channel Bridge
|
about 5
|
|
7(b)
|
Complete closure of two channel bridges linking Lantau and CLK Island
|
Bus services to CLK to operate between urban area and Tung Chung Ferry Pier instead
Provide special ferry service between Tung Chung and CLK
Provide bus services between CLK Ferry Pier and Air Passenger Terminal / other employment areas on CLK
|
30-50 for CLK traffic
|
|
7(c)
|
Closure of all traffic lanes on NLE between the Lantau Link Toll Plaza and Ta Pang Po as well as closure of two channel bridges linking Lantau and CLK Island in both directions
|
Provide special ferry service between Tsuen Wan and CLK Island
Divert external buses to transfer passengers to Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier
Provide bus services between CLK Ferry Pier and Air Passenger Terminal/other employment areas on CLK
Provide special ferry service between Tung Chung and CLK Island and to provide shuttle bus services to Tung Chung Ferry Pier
|
60-90 |
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