Shenzhen Western Corridor & Deep Bay Link [Archive]

hkskyline

May 29th, 2005, 10:00 PM

Shenzhen Western Corridor and Deep Bay Link

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Purpose
1. This paper sets out the current position on the Shenzhen Western
Corridor and Deep Bay Link.

Background

2. Hong Kong has benefited from China’s economic growth enabling herself to perform better than most of the neighbouring places, such as Singapore, Indonesia etc., during the recent economic recession that has occurred in Asia.

3. However, this economic advantage is not without worry since the three existing vehicular boundary crossings at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok are nearly saturated and it is expected that they will exceed their handling capacity within the next five years. In fact, the public has raised concerns on the frequent occurrence of traffic congestion and long waiting times at these crossings.

4. Both the governments of the HKSAR and Shenzhen recognise the need to remove these potential bottle-necks to trade and traffic. However, there are difficulties in expanding the existing three crossings because they are located within the city centre of Shenzhen. Over 80% of the cross-boundary traffic has to go through the main roads within the Shenzhen city centre causing serious traffic congestion and environmental impacts. On account of this, the Shenzhen authority considers the fourth land boundary crossing – Shenzhen Western Corridor should be built as soon as possible.

5. On Hong Kong’s part, the ‘Feasibility Study for Additional Cross-border Links’ also confirmed the need for constructing SWC together with the connecting road, Deep Bay Link for the following reasons:
(a) to alleviate the nearly saturated existing land boundary crossings at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok;
(b) to enhance trade between Hong Kong and South China, to facilitate Hong Kong’s economic development and to enable Hong Kong to become the business hub of the Pearl River Delta area.

6. We have reached agreement with the Shenzhen authority that in accordance with the boundary of Guangdong and Hong Kong, each side will finance and manage its portion of the SWC, while the construction of the bridge will be a joint effort. Both sides have also agreed to implement the project as soon as possible.

7. At the 4th Plenary of the Hong Kong / Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference held on 25 July 2001, further agreement has been reached on the principle of co-locating the boundary crossing facilities for immigration and customs clearance procedures on the Shenzhen side in planning SWC.

Proposal
Shenzhen Western Corridor

8. We propose to implement Shenzhen Western Corridor, which is a dual 3-lane bridge spanning Deep Bay. The length of the whole bridge is 5.1 km, 3.2 km of which is within the HKSAR and 1.9 km within Shenzhen. The bridge lands at Ngau Hom Shek in Hong Kong, and in Dong Jiao Tou in Shenzhen.

Deep Bay Link

9. We also propose to implement Deep Bay Link, which links up the SWC and our local road network. Deep Bay Link is proposed to be a dual 3-lane road of 5.4 km in length. (A map showing the proposed alignment is at Annex C.) The scope of works include –
(a) a short tunnel in Hung Shui Kiu to reduce environmental impacts;
(b) slip roads linking DBL to the proposed Hung Shui Kiu New Development Area and the local road network in Yuen Long; and
(c) an interchange at Lam Tei linking Yuen Long Highway. The DBL will be linked to the Yuen Long Highway in its initial years of operation.

10. Our traffic forecasts indicate that the existing road network including Yuen Long Highway and Route 3 should be able to cater for the traffic of DBL in the initial stage. In the longer term, Route 10 between Yuen Long Highway and So Kwun Wat will be required. While our current planning is that this section of Route 10 would be completed after 2010, we will closely monitor the traffic situation and continue to review regularly its need and timing.

11. We propose to commence detailed design for the SWC and DBL in early 2002.

Financial Implications

12. The total cost of the section of the SWC within the HKSAR is estimated to be HK$2.8 billion. The cost of the DBL is estimated to be HK$7.723 billion.

Land Acquisition

13. A part of an existing oyster bed may have to be resumed under the SWC project. As to the DBL, it may require resumption and clearance of some private lots and graves, a private batching plant and Hing Tak Public School. In the course of finalising the alignment, we will try to minimise the extent of the area to be affected.

Environmental Implications
Shenzhen Western Corridor

14. The feasibility of the SWC project was established by the Feasibility Study for Additional Cross-border Links. No
insurmountable adverse impact was identified but a further detailed assessment would be necessary to address all the issues thoroughly.

15. We are applying for an environmental impact assessment study brief for the SWC under the EIA Ordinance. Deep Bay is known to be an ecologically sensitive area. We will take due care in choosing an alignment with appropriate structural form and construction methods, which are acceptable from the environmental point of view. Also, we will fulfil the requirements under the EIA Ordinance and devise mitigation measures to minimise impact on the environment.

Deep Bay Link

16. An environmental impact assessment has been carried out under the Feasibility Study for Additional Cross-border Links, which concludes that the DBL will unlikely cause insurmountable adverse impact on the ecological and water quality of the environment. The DBL might have localised impact on individual areas and the issues identified would be assessed in a detailed environmental impact assessment.

17. A more thorough EIA is being carried out. The initial finding is that with proper mitigation measures, impacts on noise, air, visual and water qualities etc. can be abated to acceptable levels. Moreover, we will plant trees to compensate loss during construction. We will also avoid damage to concerned archaeological heritage.

18. We will submit the EIA report for the Director of Environmental Protection’s approval under the EIA Ordinance and will follow the statutory procedures of making the EIA report available for comments by the public and the Advisory Council on the Environment.

19. The DBL is a designated project under Schedule 2 of the EIA Ordinance and an environmental permit is required for the construction and operation of the project. We will incorporate the recommended mitigation measures into the detailed design and shall apply for an environmental permit for the project prior to commencement of construction.

Drainage Impact Assessment

20. A Drainage Impact Assessment for DBL is being undertaken. We will take all necessary precautions and mitigation measures to ensure that the project will not affect the existing local drainage system either during construction or when the road is in service.

Public Consultation

21. We will be consulting the following bodies –
(a) Tuen Mun District Council;
(b) Tuen Mun Rural Committee;
(c) Yuen Long District Council Traffic and Transport Committee;
(d) Ha Tsuen Rural Committee;
(e) Advisory Council on the Environment.

The Way Forward

22. We will seek the approval of the Public Works Sub-Committee of the Finance Committee in November 2001 to upgrade the detailed design works of the SWC and DBL to Category A. The construction programme will be confirmed after commencement of the detailed design and consultation with the Mainland. The Hong Kong and Shenzhen authorities will endeavour to complete the project in 2005.

hkskyline

October 24th, 2005, 06:12 AM

港段工程完成82%
西部通道年底竣工
24/10/2005
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【本報訊】連接新界西北及深圳蛇口的深港西部通道香港段工程已完成逾八成，可望年底竣工。路政署發言人表示，涉資二十三億元的西部通道落成後，除每日可額外增加最多八萬架次過境汽車的流量之外，橋上更裝有燈飾，綻放光芒，成為后海灣新地標。另外通道設計上亦特別加入少許彎度，可提高司機警覺之外，亦可讓他們欣賞通道的美態。

初期日行車三萬架次
全長五點五公里的西部通道主要由高架引橋和斜拉橋組成，其中三點五公里位於本港水域，由新界西北鰲磡石，橫跨后海灣至蛇口東角頭新填海區。路政署總工程師李大鈞透露，截至十月中，通道香港段的工程完成度已達八成四，銜接通道的后海灣幹線亦已完成八成二的工程，可望如期在明年配合蛇口的口岸設施落成後通車。預期西部通道啟用初期每天行車量為三萬一千架次，可紓緩落馬洲、文錦渡及沙頭角擠塞的跨境交通。

直彎設計覽大橋景色
李大鈞續稱，西部通道的設計蘊含獨特之處，司機駛上通道時，將發現走線有直有彎，沿途可欣賞大橋景色。通道上兩座斜拉橋橋塔互仰向對方，猶如將連接深港兩地的高架道路互相牽引，帶領兩地居民團結。另外，西部通道將仿照青馬大橋及汀九橋輔以燈飾，配合特別節日慶典綻放光芒，勢必成為后海灣的新地標。

李指出，工程特別照顧具高生態價值的后海灣，署方按照環評報告的措施興建一條長達一點八公里的臨時橋樑運送建材，並改善基圍的沉積情況，為雀鳥提供更理想的棲息地。

hkskyline

October 24th, 2005, 09:14 AM

October 23, 2005
Government Press Release
Western Corridor key artery to Mainland

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Works on the Western Corridor's Hong Kong section - which is more than 80% complete - have been progressing smoothly, Highways Department Chief Engineer Joseph Lee says.

When it opens in 2006, the new boundary crossing will accommodate 31,000 vehicles daily, becoming a key artery to the Mainland.

The 5.5km-long Western Corridor will be the fourth vehicular boundary crossing between Hong Kong and the Mainland. It starts at the newly reclaimed area for the boundary crossing facilities at Dongjiaotou, Shekou.

More than 80% complete

It will straddle Deep Bay and land at Ngau Hom Shek in the Northwest New Territories. From there it will connect to Yuen Long Highway via the Deep Bay Link.

Both Hong Kong and Shenzhen are building the new boundary crossing, in the form of viaducts and cable-stayed bridges.

Mr Lee tells new.gov.hk about 84% of the works on the 3.5km-long Hong Kong section have been completed. "We are confident that it will, together with the Deep Bay Link, be completed by the end of this year as planned."

Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced in his Policy Address the new road link will open to traffic next year when the control point at Shekou is completed.

Transport Department figures revealed in August, the daily traffic flow of the three existing boundary crossings - Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok - reached 32,313, 8,003 and 2,545 vehicles, higher than their total capacity of 42,500 vehicles a day.

On a year-on-year comparison, the daily traffic flow of Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok rose 3.6%, 3.1% and 13%.

Cross-boundary traffic capacity to rise

The Western Corridor, upon its opening next year, will offer an additional daily traffic capacity of 80,000 vehicles, raising the overall daily cross-boundary traffic capacity and thereby easing the current congestion.

Mr Lee said cross-boundary vehicles using the Western Corridor may use the Yuen Long Highway, Tuen Mun Road or Route 3 Country Park Section to access other parts of Hong Kong. The capacity of these roads are able to cope with the increased traffic.

Apart from providing a more convenient cross-boundary transport link to boost economic development, particularly in areas of finance, logistics and tourism, the Western Corridor will strengthen Hong Kong's position as the hub of the Pearl River Delta area and enhance trade between the city and South China.

Mr Lee said the new road link also has symbolic and aesthetic functions.

Symbol of synergy

"The towers for the two cable-stayed bridges are inclined towards each other, pulling their approach viaduct towards the boundary. This design symbolises the desire of the two regions to build a synergistic relationship for greater prosperity.

"As the Western Corridor will become a prominent landmark in Deep Bay, architectural lighting will be installed to light up the bridge during festive occasions."

Participating in the project since early 2001, Mr Lee said the project is on a "super fast track".

"For a highway project similar to the Western Corridor Hong Kong section, the planning and construction process usually takes eight years to complete. However, in view of the project's tight programme, we have worked out ways to save time and the project has progressed smoothly, thanks to the co-operation of parties concerned."

Care for the environment

The project has also demonstrated great concern for the environment, Mr Lee noted.

Extensive consultations with the green groups were carried out and their views taken into account. The Advisory Council on the Environment endorsed the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the Western Corridor Hong Kong section and the Director of Environmental Protection approved it in 2002.

Contractors are implementing all the environmental mitigation measures recommended in the report, to ensure the water quality and the environment in the Deep Bay area will be maintained.

A water channel also connects the gei wais - or shrimp ponds - in Mai Po to Deep Bay. This will improve the water-exchange capacity and enhance the birds' feeding ground.

Temporary steel bridge protects mudflats

Taking into account that Deep Bay is an ecologically important area with extensive inter-tidal mudflats in close proximity to the Mai Po Nature Reserve Area, a temporary steel bridge has been built.

"The 1.8km long, nine-metre wide temporary steel bridge is the largest of its kind in Hong Kong. Built with 12,200 tonnes of steel, the bridge enables the transport of construction materials over mudflats without polluting the area," Mr Lee said.

Works on the Western Corridor Hong Kong section, started in August 2003, will be completed by the end of the year at a cost of about $2.29 billion.

vincent

October 24th, 2005, 09:30 AM

beautiful bridge

bs_lover_boy

October 24th, 2005, 10:21 AM

I love it!!!

superchan7

October 25th, 2005, 01:34 AM

Sweet bridge.

hkskyline

January 8th, 2006, 02:27 AM

Corridor may snarl traffic in northwest New Territories

The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor, expected to relieve congestion at the Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok checkpoints, may result in massive traffic jams in the northwest New Territories, legislators said.

Winnie Chong
Hong Kong Standard
Saturday, January 07, 2006

The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor, expected to relieve congestion at the Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok checkpoints, may result in massive traffic jams in the northwest New Territories, legislators said.

Five Legislative Council transport panel members came to the conclusion after an inspection of the Hong Kong end of the corridor at Lau Fau Shan.

They said they were generally satisfied with the progress of the bridge construction, with more than 90 percent of the Hong Kong side already completed. Over the next two months, asphalt will be laid on the bridge and the corridor could be opened by year-end.

However, as vehicles could run to the west side of Tuen Mun or the east side of the New Territories by using Route 3, this could increase the traffic in the northwest New Territories, including Yuen Long and Tuen Mun, panel chairman Lau Kong-wah said.

"Many big vehicles may choose to travel to Tuen Mun because of cheaper costs. This could lead to serious traffic jams on Tuen Mun Road," he said. Lau urged the SAR government to utilize Route 3 to divert traffic flow.

Highways Department major works project manager Chow Ying-shun said cars could travel from Shenzhen via Deep Bay Link and Tuen Long Road to Route 3 in 15-20 minutes.

hkskyline

January 22nd, 2006, 07:34 PM

HK, Shenzhen bridge the gap
21 January 2006
South China Morning Post

After months of uncertainty, the two ends of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Bridge were joined yesterday and it is expected to be open by the end of the year.

The 5.5km bridge spanning Shenzhen Bay will become an important link between the western part of Guangdong and Hong Kong.

Shenzhen Mayor Xu Zongheng , who led the bridge-joining ceremony with Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao Sau-tung, hailed it as an important step towards economic integration.

The bridge will link Yuen Long with Shekou . Travelling time from Shenzhen Airport to Hong Kong could be cut by at least half an hour when the bridge opens.

It will also help ease traffic congestion in Shenzhen. Vehicles from Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Foshan will be able to travel to Hong Kong via the bridge without entering the crowded Futian and Lowu districts.

The bridge was proposed by the Shenzhen government in 1991 and approved by the central government in 1997. It has been funded by the Hong Kong and Shenzhen governments.

The joining of the two ends yesterday was a relief for authorities on both sides as construction had been hit by difficulties. Foundation work was suspended briefly in 2004 amid accusations of negligence after the contractor ran into a piling problem.

The contractor said it could not drive posts into the ground below the waterline to support the structure because of an unexpected layer of mud and sand deep beneath the seabed.

But a Shenzhen government worker yesterday said they had successfully solved the technical problem, and hailed the construction of the bridge as an engineering achievement.

hkskyline

March 1st, 2006, 03:10 AM

Land boost for Hong Kong box storage.
23 February 2006
Lloyd's List

OFFICIALS have expanded the amount of land available for container storage and repairs by nearly a third in Hong Kong’s north-west New Territories, writes Keith Wallis.

The move coincides with the opening of the 5.4 km long Hong Kong-Shenzhen bridge later this year.

Legislator Miriam Lau, who represents the transport industry, was told by government minister Michael Suen that the amount of land for container operations has been increased by 229 ha from 617 ha to 846 ha.

The bridge will provide a fast route between the Shenzhen ports of Shekou and Chiwan and Hong Kong. Industry insiders believe the bridge, which is running about nine months late, will be the main truck route between Hong Kong and central and western Shenzhen.

hkskyline

March 2nd, 2006, 06:33 AM

LCQ12 : Assessment of vehicles using HK-Shenzhen Western Corridor
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
Government Press Release

Following is a question by the Hon Abraham Shek and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (March 1) :

Question:

It has been reported that the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor (the Corridor) is expected to open at the end of this year or early next year. The Government estimates that the Corridor will aggravate the traffic congestion on the already over-loaded Tuen Mun Road. Designed to relieve traffic congestion at the checkpoints in Lok Ma Chau, Sha Tau Kok and Man Kam To, the Corridor will also increase the traffic flow in northwest New Territories, including Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) as the reconstruction of and improvement to Tuen Mun Road will only be completed in 2010-11, how the Transport Department will relieve the traffic congestion in northwest New Territories, which will be aggravated by the opening of the Corridor; and

(b) whether the authorities will work with the operator of Route 3 to make special arrangements for diverting the traffic on Tuen Mun Road to Route 3, thereby reducing the traffic flow on Tuen Mun Road?

Reply:

Madam President,

The Hong Kong section of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor (the Corridor) was completed at the end of last year. Based on the progress of the works that have been carried out thus far, it is estimated that the Shenzhen section of the Corridor and the main works for the boundary-crossing facility at Shekou will be completed in the end of this year. Hong Kong and Shenzhen will continue to work closely together with the objective of opening the Corridor to traffic within the first half of next year.

In the Northwest New Territories Traffic and Infrastructure Review 2004 (the Review), we have examined in detail the traffic implications of the commissioning of the Corridor on the transport infrastructure in northwest New Territories. As we have explained to the Panel on Transport of the Legislative Council when reporting the results of the Review, the existing road networks in northwest New Territories together with road projects that have been planned for the region should be able to cope with the traffic demand, including the additional demand that the Corridor will bring about, up to 2016.

According to our assessment, there will be about 31,000 vehicle trips daily (vtd) using the Corridor when it is open. At that time, there will be a total of around 160,000 vtd using Tuen Mun Road and Route 3, which will be below the total designed capacity of 250,000 vtd of the two major trunk roads in northwest New Territories. We expect that by 2016, there will be about 60,000 vtd using the Corridor, and at that time around 188,000 vtd will be using Tuen Mun Road and Route 3. That level will still be below the total designed capacity of 250,000 vtd of the two trunk roads.

Nevertheless, in order to relieve the traffic pressure on the town centre section of Tuen Mun Road, we have drawn up several short and medium-term traffic improvement plans. Some of those plans have already been implemented, including lengthening of the bus bays along the town centre section of Tuen Mun Road to increase their capacity and reduce obstruction to traffic on the main road; and improving the lanes merging from Tuen Hi Road into the town centre section of Tuen Mun Road. As regards medium-term measures, we will widen the section of Tuen Mun Road near Tsing Tin Interchange from two lanes to three lanes for each direction. We expect the widening works to be completed by mid-2008. We have also commissioned a consultancy study to examine whether it is feasible to introduce further traffic improvement measures at the town centre section of Tuen Mun Road. We expect that the study will be completed by mid-2006.

For the long term, we have drawn up a plan to provide new strategic transport infrastructure to meet the growth in traffic demand in the northwestern part of the New Territories after 2016. Different possible highway packages have been examined in the Review. We have allocated resources for preparatory work for the possible highway packages such as site investigation work and further studies. These will enable us to provide the supporting transport infrastructure to meet the development needs in a more efficient and timely manner in future.

Apart from continuing to encourage the franchisee of Route 3 to offer more concessions to more vehicle types, we are actively exploring with the franchisee other possible measures to rationalise the utilisation of Route 3 and Tuen Mun Road.

hkskyline

March 11th, 2006, 07:21 PM

By gordon from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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simhks

June 26th, 2006, 03:32 PM

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Skybean

July 26th, 2006, 01:41 AM

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hkskyline

August 18th, 2006, 06:15 AM

深西通道明年7．1啟用
料胡錦濤主禮實施一地兩檢
18/08/2006

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【專案組記者簡淑明報道】由元朗鰲磡石橫跨后海灣至深圳蛇口的深港西部通道，貫穿中港兩地的首條跨海大橋，港府計劃於明年七月一日香港特區成立十周年，由中央領導人主持落成儀式後才正式啟用。為使本港紀律部隊人員可在通道上執法，實施一地兩檢模式，港府正等候中央授予司法及行政管轄權，並在立法會十月復會後將《香港管區條例草案》提交審議。

候中央授行政司法管轄權
深西通道的落成日期一延再延，外界一度揣測是港深兩地尚未洽妥大橋的管理權及如何分配車輛配額等等問題，為消弭外界的憂慮，行政長官曾蔭權較早前到廣州參加粵港合作聯席會議時亦刻意提及，深西通道的工程已進入最後階段，期望明年七月一日前通車。

政府消息透露，跨海大橋的土建工程年底基本完成，只待安裝配套設施後即可啟用，港府為加強新口岸的清關能力，已展開大規模的招聘行動，當局欲將這條大橋作為明年香港特區政府成立十周年的大禮，估計由國家主席胡錦濤抵港舉行開幕儀式後才正式啟用。

為配合七一通車，兩地必須盡快落實「一地兩檢」模式，由中央賦予香港紀律部隊人員在原屬內地的蛇口範圍執法。政府消息人士指出，港府的相關程序已完成，正等候中央正式授權行政及司法管轄權，同步亦會在立法會十月復會後將相關的《香港管區條例草案》提交立法會審議，草案主要在深西通道實施「一地兩檢」，建立過境設施提供法律依據。據悉，深西通道的旅檢大樓建構大致完成，整個大樓長度二百米，清楚劃分香港在南面、內地在北面。http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/img/endmarker.gif

Cunning Linguist

August 18th, 2006, 07:47 AM

Wow. I'd never heard of this causeway before today. When is the projected completion date?

And when will construction begin on the Lantau to Zhuhai/Macau bridge?

hkskyline

August 18th, 2006, 07:51 AM

Wow. I'd never heard of this causeway before today. When is the projected completion date?

And when will construction begin on the Lantau to Zhuhai/Macau bridge?
This bridge is almost done. The Zhuhai / Macau bridge is still under discussion so it'll probably take a few more years before it becomes visible.

Cunning Linguist

August 18th, 2006, 07:54 AM

Thanks!

Rachmaninov

August 18th, 2006, 10:14 AM

Great updates. Thanks!!

hkth

August 29th, 2006, 06:08 PM

Xinhua news:
Mainland to allow HK customs to operate from Shenzhen port (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-08/22/content_4992276.htm)

hkskyline

February 22nd, 2007, 05:49 PM

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Source : http://www.hyd.gov.hk/contractwebsites/swc/SitePhotos/LatestPhotos/viewphotos.htm

Rachmaninov

February 22nd, 2007, 08:11 PM

The alignment was interesting...

EricIsHim

February 23rd, 2007, 04:35 AM

^^^ It's probably because of the geology down below that it is better for foundation to algin like that.

hkskyline

April 15th, 2007, 05:15 PM

深西通道空氣差百萬行量力而為
15/04/2007
太陽報

【本報訊】公益金今日在即將通車的港深西部通道舉辦百萬行，吸引三萬人報名參加，但本港差劣的空氣質素，可能令有意到深西通道「先睹為快」兼參與百萬行的善長人翁大感掃興。環境保護署昨晨錄得的空氣污染指數屬於甚高水平，預測今日指數仍然偏高，並非參與戶外活動的理想日子。

應穿舒適衣服及勤飲水
參加百萬行人士，會先由屯門熬磡石出發，到港深分界線折返，全程七千米，橋下是后海灣，參加者可以欣賞后海灣濕地風景，還可遠眺深圳蛇口，預計全程要行兩小時。公益金表示，百萬行今日不設即場報名，參加者要按步行證上時間，到屯門兆康苑乘坐穿梭巴士到起點集合。由於橋面難以同時容納三萬人，參加者要由早上十時開始，每隔半小時分八批出發。浸會大學體育系副臈授雷雄德提醒參加者，要穿上舒適透氣的服裝，不時飲水，步速要平均，並應量力而為。

天文台預測今日初時有幾陣雨，日間短暫時間有陽光，吹微風，氣溫介乎攝氏二十二至二十六度，濕度百分之七十至九十。環保署路邊監測站昨早錄得空氣污染指數屬於甚高水平，由於近日無風令污染物積聚，該署預測今日空氣污染指數仍偏高，路邊監測站介乎七十五至九十五。受空氣污染影響，昨日截至下午四時，有五十二名按平安鐘的長者須送院，當中十二人氣促，長者安居服務協會總幹事馬錦華提醒患哮喘、心臟病或呼吸系統毛病的長者，應減少戶外活動。

hkskyline

April 18th, 2007, 11:32 AM

$8m raised as 33,000 take a walk for charity
Hong Kong Standard
Monday, April 16, 2007

More than 33,000 people Sunday strode down the Hong Kong section of the soon-to-open Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor - the fourth vehicular border crossing between the two cities - all for charity.

They raised more than HK$8 million - well above the organizer's initial target - in the latest fundraiser of the Community Chest's Walk for Millions series.

The event, held under bright sunshine and ahead of the corridor's grand opening in July as part of celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the handover, was officiated by Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen and Hong Kong Monetary Authority chief executive Joseph Yam Chi-kwong.

The participants, who covered only the 3.2-kilometer SAR section of the multimillion dollar project, took about two hours to complete the journey.

Among them was 30-year-old Siu Hei-tong in his wheelchair accompanied by family members. Siu, who is recovering from a recent illness, said apart from doing his part for charity, he was there at the request of his father.

A Ms Chan, who is in her 30s and walked with her three-year-old daughter, said she had taken part in the Walk for Millions series since childhood.

A spokeswoman for the Community Chest called Sunday's event a big success.

"We managed to recruit more than 30,000 people within the first month, which is a record for the Community Chest in terms of recruitment within such a short time."

The walkers set off from Ngau Hom Shek in the northwestern New Territories, the Hong Kong end of the 5.5km, three-lane carriageway, taking in the 4,770-meter cable-stayed road bridge spanning Deep Bay and came to within viewing distance of Shekou where the corridor links up with Dongjiatou.

Work on the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor - the first cross- border infrastructure between the SAR and the mainland to have one-stop customs and immigration clearance - started in 2003, and the Hong Kong section was completed in 2005.

The new link will cut traveling time from Shekou to the SAR's Route 3 to about 20 minutes.

The link was originally scheduled to open last year, but was delayed by construction delays on the Shenzhen side, as well as legal issues over the application of Hong Kong laws at immigration and customs facilities within the mainland.

The first Walk for Millions took place in 1971, and has drawn more than 2.7 million participants to date.

The money raised will be used primarily for children and youth services, with the Community Chest expected to allocate more than HK$14.8 million during the 2007-2008 financial year to 20 social welfare agencies.

The program will provide youngsters under 24 with social and recreational activities, interest groups, counseling, leadership training and study places.

Children under 12 will also receive homework guidance, meal services and parental guidance and education. Donations to the Community Chest plunged from HK$225 million in the 2005-2006 fiscal year to HK$158 million in 2006-2007.

hkskyline

June 25th, 2007, 06:15 PM

深西通道「換證」零申請
須棄現有配額私家車主觀望
25/06/2007
太陽報

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20070625/img/sn02062506_big.jpg

【本報訊】深港西部通道將於七月一日通車，運輸署上月邀請私家車車主放棄使用現有口岸，以「一證換一證」原則轉用西部通道的深圳灣口岸過境，但車主反應冷淡，該署仍未接獲任何申請。私家車組織認為，車主不了解西部通道的運作，故不願貿然放棄現有配額，希望兩地政府檢討「換證」政策，毋須車主放棄配額。

非24小時通關減吸引力
現時，私家車必須領有「封閉道路通行許可證」，才可經落馬洲、沙頭角或文錦渡其中一個口岸過境，當中以二十四小時通關的落馬洲口岸最受歡迎。截至今年四月底，該口岸已發出九千八百個配額，輪候的新申請為五百個。文錦渡約發出六百個配額，而沙頭角為二千八百個。

不過，作為本港第四個跨境口岸西部通道明顯備受冷落。運輸署上月二十二日曾發信邀請跨境私家車許可證持有人，以「一證換一證」原則轉用西部通道過境，但至本月七日，該署並未接獲任何配額持有人申請轉用新口岸。

粵港私家車協會秘書長謝浪指出，新口岸通關時間只到凌晨零時，加上現時前往深圳東部的車主，不會走遠路經西部通道過境，故新口岸通車初期不會太受歡迎。他又指，已向內地部門反映，希望讓車主在毋須放棄配額下，同時申請新口岸的配額。港粵進出境私家車協會秘書長周敏雄則表示，由於新口岸設有試用期，相信車主現階段以觀望為主，會先試用後才作決定。

通車後設三個月試用期
運輸署原本亦計劃發出一千五百個深圳灣口岸的新配額，該署發言人表示，會密切留意轉用申請的情況，並會在適當時候，檢討有關安排。

為了讓車主了解西部通道，該署又與廣東省有關當局達成協議，在深圳灣口岸通車後設三個月的試用期，持現有許可證的車主可試用新口岸，並可於期內申請轉用新口岸，署方會以先到先得原則處理申請。

hkskyline

June 26th, 2007, 05:33 AM

Limits set as bridge nears opening
Hong Kong Standard
Tuesday, June 26, 2007

The Shenzhen Bay Bridge, which comes into operation next month, will be closed if the wind speed exceeds 65 kilometers per hour.

Assistant Commissioner for Transport (Planning) To Kam-biu said Monday that traffic arrangements for Shenzhen Bay Port have been decided with the help of consultants and overseas experts.

He said when the wind speed reaches 30kph to 40kph, warning signals will be issued and vehicles will be required to reduce their speed limit to 50kph. When the wind speed reaches 55kph, the bridge's middle lanes in both directions will be closed, and vehicle speed limit maintained at 50kph. When the wind speed hits 65kph or higher, the bridge will be closed.

The bridge, which is part of Shenzhen Bay Port and forms the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor, will open to traffic July 1.

The corridor, linking Shekou port in Shenzhen with the northwestern New Territories, will be open for 17 hours daily in the initial stages - from 6.30am to midnight. Roads leading to Shenzhen Bay Port will be closed about 30 minutes before the port ceases operation.

Asked if the port's operation hours are too short, Assistant Commissioner for Transport (New Territories) Cindy Law Fung-ping said "no," as the hours had been worked out by both Hong Kong and mainland officials.

"It's a new facility providing the public another choice of travel. We've negotiated with the mainland government and reached a consensus."

For public transport services to and from the Hong Kong port area of Shenzhen Bay Port, there will be two franchised bus services and one green minibus service operating from Yuen Long West Rail Station, Tuen Mun Pier Head and Tin Shui Wai, in addition to cross-border coach services.

Law said Shenzhen Bay Port will mainly serve commuters living in New Territories West and North, since there is a railway link in New Territories East.

"We believe the frequency of public transport services, the port's operation hours and traffic flow will be able to cope with other transport networks linking various destinations," she said.

yrboarder

June 27th, 2007, 07:23 AM

Any one has any details regarding public transportation to western corridor and cross border coaches making use of this corridor?

hkskyline

June 27th, 2007, 09:17 AM

Any one has any details regarding public transportation to western corridor and cross border coaches making use of this corridor?

See here :
Info from the Transport Dep't:
Access to Shenzhen Bay Port (http://www.td.gov.hk/transport_in_hong_kong/access_to_shenzhen_bay_port/index.htm)

hkskyline

June 27th, 2007, 10:40 AM

Cars steer clear of link
26 June 2007
South China Morning Post

Six days before President Hu Jintao officially opens the fourth Hong Kong-Shenzhen road link, not one private car owner holding a cross-border permit has applied to use the new bridge.

A quota of 1,500 permits have been allocated to car owners for a three-month trial of the Western Corridor, after which they must decide if they will switch to it. Cross-border drivers must designate their route.

Just a quarter of the 20,000 cross-border trucks have signed up to use the crossing, which has cost Hong Kong HK$7.8 billion. The first vehicles will cross the 3.2km bridge between Ngau Hom Shek and Shekou at 6pm on Sunday.

The bridge across Deep Bay will be closed when wind speeds exceed 65km/h, officials said yesterday. The restriction could mean it shuts for four days a year, a Transport Department official said.

Assistant commissioner for transport To Kam-biu said: "In 1999, wind speeds reached that level on four occasions, but between 2002 and 2005, there were none."

hkskyline

June 30th, 2007, 05:20 AM

配合深西通道201億元建路網
疏導新界西北車流工程需時九年
30/06/2007
太陽報

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20070630/img/sn07063007_big.jpg

連接元朗及深圳蛇口的深港西部通道明日啟用，將為新界西北帶來額外交通壓力。港府認為有需要建造新的公路網以應付未來交通需求，建議動用二百零一億元，興建屯門西繞道及屯門至赤繮角連接路，預料由初步設計至完工將需時九年。建造業期望計劃盡快落實，為工人帶來就業機會。

環境運輸及工務局曾評估新界西北及北大嶼山在運輸基建方面的長遠及極長遠需要，發現現有基本公路網只能應付至二○一六年的交通量。但長遠而言，機場客貨運量的預期增長，擬建的大嶼山物流園和港珠澳大橋，都會令交通需求日益增加，導致屯門公路、汀九橋及青嶼幹線等走廊出現擠塞，故二○一六年後有需要增建新公路。

交通經濟效益最佳
當局檢討過四個可能的公路網方案後，發現方案2即興建屯門西繞道及屯門至赤繮角連接路，在交通及經濟效益方面較其他方案優勝。屯門西繞道連接后海灣幹線與屯門第四十區，全長八點四公里，雙程雙線行車，隧道部分大約長五點八公里。

而屯門至赤繮角連接路則連接屯門內河貨運碼頭與位於北大嶼山的香港國際機場及東涌，全長九公里，雙程雙線，其中屯門西至大嶼山一段是四公里長的沉管隧道，另有跨海高架道路分別連接擬建的北大嶼山連接路及機場。

方案1包括興建藍地隧道、大欖涌隧道及深水角至欣澳的大嶼山P1號公路，費用高達二百四十三億元，需時八年。3及3A方案則擴闊屯門公路、興建屯門東繞道及P1號公路等，預算費用為一百六十三億至一百八十三億元，需時八年。

深西通道海關揭匾
局方認為，方案2比其他方案提供較直接的通道，貫通機場、港珠澳大橋及大嶼山新貨櫃碼頭等，能加強香港交通聯運接駁的效率，故建議尠手進行該方案的初步設計。香港建造業總工會理事長蔡鎮華稱，近年罕有如此大型工程項目，希望盡早落實，增加建造工人的就業機會。

此外，深西通道海關昨日舉行揭匾儀式，落實日後通車的執行任務，而本港入境處、海關、警方及消防處將派駐逾千人到西部通道，口岸開啟初期將有二十六條傳統出入境櫃台、二十四條ｅ道及七十六條車行通道，一地兩檢下每名旅客通關時間可減省約五至十分鐘。警方亦會於旅檢大樓內設立一報案中心，二十四小時運作；海關將設有四個流動或固定的X光檢查系統，亦會有一座搜查犬犬舍，在口岸派駐四頭搜查犬。

另外，環運局正與三號幹線專營商探討一項為期三年的試驗減費計劃，以延長專營權換取減費，疏導西部通道的車流量。

hkskyline

July 1st, 2007, 03:19 AM

屯門往南山車程15分鐘
深西通道今午六時啟用
01/07/2007
太陽報

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20070701/img/sn05070111_big.jpg
深圳灣大橋昨晚燈火通明迎接今日的開幕儀式。

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20070701/img/sn05070102_big.jpg

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20070701/img/a100701a_big.jpg

港深之間首個跨海口岸今日啟用，國家主席胡錦濤今日中午會主持深西通道通車儀式，並經此通道返回深圳，結束三日訪港行程。今日下午六時，深西通道正式通車，成為港深兩地第四個陸路口岸，以後由屯門往深圳南山區，最快可於十五至二十分鐘抵達，跨境交通大大改善。地產業人士估計新界西北區樓價可受惠，天水圍樓價更已見微升；運輸業人士亦稱，跨境交通成本降低後，估計直通巴票價有下調空間。

建造費近四十億元（內地及香港大橋與一地兩檢人工島）的深西通道，初期每日通關時間僅十七個半小時，開放時間為早上六時半至午夜十二時，目前，屯門及元朗均有巴士抵達；其他地區的市民亦可乘搭直通過境巴士，的士亦可往來深圳灣口岸。但深西通道今晚六時才通車，預料前往深圳灣的頭班車會於傍晚六時開始。深港雙方會待新口岸運作一段時間後，才評估二十四小時通關的可行性。

深西通道乃首個實施「一地兩檢」的關口，旅客因而可減省五至十分鐘過關時間。因通道主要是連接深圳與香港的跨海大橋，如有時速六十五公里強風吹襲，通道便會暫停開放，天文台預期今日本港普遍吹和緩清勁的南至東南風，每小時風速介乎十三至四十公里，若風速達每小時四十公里，深西通道便會把車速限制減至每小時五十公里。

直巴有減價空間
落馬洲中港貨運聯會主席蔣志偉表示，取道深西通道往廣州、粵西等地較方便。港粵直通巴士協會秘書長周慶旺指出：「若使用新通道後車程較短，令直通巴可行多一、兩轉，將有機會減價。」

美聯物業元朗嘉湖分行高級營業經理吳偉國稱，近月來自蛇口或南山區的顧客增加一成，天水圍嘉湖山莊的翠湖居一個八百一十五平方呎單位，最近以一百八十二萬元新高價成交，售價比一周前高出一成。估計該區亦會吸引一批在南山區工作的港人租住。

hkskyline

July 1st, 2007, 07:24 AM

President Hu opens Shenzhen Bay Port and Bridge
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Government Press Release

The Shenzhen Bay Port and the Shenzhen Bay Bridge were officially opened today (July 1) by President Hu Jintao.

The president's car drove past the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and through a ribbon at the boundary line dividing Hong Kong and Shenzhen, signifying the commissioning of the bridge.

Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Mr Zhang Dejiang; Guangdong Governor, Mr Huang Huahua; Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Mr Li Hongzhong; Shenzhen Mayor, Mr Xu Zongheng; Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose Lee; and Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, greeted the president when he arrived at the passenger terminal building.

After speeches by State Councillor Mr Tang Jiaxuan and Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang, President Hu officiated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Shenzhen Bay Port.

President Hu then left Hong Kong, concluding his visit programme in the SAR.

Seeing the president off at the Hong Kong side was a delegation led by Mr Tsang and comprising the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Andrew Li; Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang; Financial Secretary, Mr John Tsang; Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan Lung, SC; President of the Legislative Council, Mrs Rita Fan and Convenor of the Executive Council Mr Leung Chun-ying.

hkskyline

July 2nd, 2007, 05:54 AM

http://the-sun.on.cc/tsnmain/20070702/img/0702main.jpg

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20070702/img/sn01070202_big.jpg

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20070702/img/sn01070201_big.jpg

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20070702/img/sn01070203_big.jpg

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20070702/img/sn01070220_big.jpg

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20070702/img/sn01070204_big.jpg

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20070702/img/sn01070207_big.jpg

EricIsHim

July 2nd, 2007, 02:49 PM

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20070702/img/sn01070203_big.jpg

:nuts: High security in the middle of the bridge.

hkskyline

August 6th, 2007, 08:19 AM

Just five trucks a day use new HK$7.8b crossing
1 August 2007
South China Morning Post

Thirty days after President Hu Jintao's motorcade broke the red ribbons at the city's fourth road border crossing, an average of only five trucks a day have used the Western Corridor border crossing.

According to Customs and Excise Department statistics, only 147 trucks crossed the bridge between July 1 and July 30.

Truck drivers still prefer the busy Lok Ma Chau checkpoint even though the new route is the quickest way to Shenzhen West - home to many Hong Kong-invested factories.

Customs and Excise also reported that only 40,386 vehicles had crossed the new border point in the first month, despite official forecasts of a daily average of 30,000 a day.

The low usage rate is being attributed mostly to the truck drivers.

A logistics expert said the underutilisation of the investment in the crossing - which totalled HK$7.8 billion, including HK$2.3 billion for the Western Corridor - was not merely a waste of public money but meant the new route also failed to serve its purpose of diverting traffic from other border points. Traffic continued to rise at the three other vehicular border crossings after the Western Corridor's opening on July 1.

At Lok Ma Chau, which attracts more than three-quarters of all cross-border vehicles - traffic was heavier than usual after the opening of the Western Corridor, an increase attributed to robust consumer spending during the summer season.

Hong Kong Logistics Association president Anthony Wong Foo-wah said if mainland authorities did not increase the opening hours of the crossing from 18 to 24 hours, like those at Lok Ma Chau, there was little hope of the figures improving in the near future.

"Once truck drivers switch their designated cross-boundary route, they stick to it, so it is normal that they would remain with the one that could maximise their journeys," he said.

The shorter opening hours also discouraged car drivers who drove to the mainland for entertainment or business purposes, Mr Wong said.

But compared with trucks, the Western Corridor appears to be more popular with cross-boundary vehicles and direct coaches.

By July 27, 540 cross-boundary vehicles had applied for the initial quota of 1,500 permits to use the corridor, and more than two-thirds of the 300 quota set for cross-boundary coaches had been taken up.

The government had earlier said it hoped the new checkpoint - which had a handling capacity equal to that of the other three combined - would divert at least one-tenth of cross-border traffic at the initial stage.

hkskyline

August 24th, 2007, 02:01 PM

By wah from a Hong Kong photography forum :

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1208/997443320_fa00452470_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1337/996596493_7496a36325_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1274/997444748_c7405b432b_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1107/997444214_24281b59e8_o.jpg

vincent

August 25th, 2007, 06:12 AM

EricIsHim

August 25th, 2007, 06:46 AM

i think it is just a matter of time before it get popular. Does the western crossing charge a lot higher fee or something? so that no one use it?
(similar situation to the western harbour tunnel at Victoria harbour)

No, it's a different situation than the unbalanced crossing harbour tunnels.

There crossing boarder facilities are free of charge, so there is no fee difference between the crossing points.

There are two major problem about the boarder I have understood so far from different media sources.

First is the permit issue. On HK side, trucks are free to use any boarder, but the problem is in the mainland side. There is a permit for each truck to use the specific boarder as registered to the government, and only one can be chosen. Upon opening, any trucks were using Lok Ma Chau wanted to switch over with the new link, they would have to reapply for a new permit and give up the Lok Ma Chau permit. This process takes weeks to complete. Then the authority loosen the restriction up allowing to have both permits, both the owner/driver still had to register and get a new permit. No one will to spend extra time to apply for a new permit when the other one works just fine. I believe the mainland authority has agreed (or coming soon) there is no need to get a new permit and trucks can use Western Corridor anytime as well as Lok Ma Chau. This permit issue is just adminstrative and can be easily be solved.

The bigger problem is infrastructure connection. On HK side, the Western Corridor is directly linked to highway going to the urban area right a way. But in Shenzhen side, the highway spur has not been built connecting the existing network with the boarder facility. Trucks has to go local to go back and fro between the highway and the Corridor. It isn't saving time. There is one negative. Plus, in Shenzhen, trucks are restricted to be on some local roads, and signings are not clear to tell when and where the trucks can't go. Drivers are afraid they will be arrested and fined when they get on the wrong road. Instead of taking the risk, they just stay at Lok Ma Chau. If Shenzhen doesn't speed up the connecting highway construction, the Western Corridor won't be too attractive for truck traffic. But this will still be a cause of low usage in the least of next few years.

hkskyline

August 25th, 2007, 09:37 AM

Source : http://www.pbase.com/specialteam/hong_kongshenzhen_western_corridor

http://www.pbase.com/specialteam/image/84318831.jpg

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http://www.pbase.com/specialteam/image/84318858.jpg

hkskyline

October 31st, 2007, 03:40 PM

LCQ7: Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor's throughput
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Government Press Release

Following is a question by the Hon Miriam Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (October 31):

Question:

It has been reported that there is a very big discrepancy between the actual throughput of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor and the projected figures, indicating that the corridor has failed to ease the traffic congestion at other control points effectively. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) how the average actual daily numbers of various types of vehicles using the above corridor compare to the relevant projected figures;

(b) whether it has investigated the reasons for the throughput of the corridor being on the low side; if it has, of the findings; and

(c) in addition to exempting goods vehicles of cross-boundary freight companies from the requirement for applying to the relevant authorities in Guangdong Province in advance for additional Shenzhen Bay Port crossing endorsement, and extending the arrangements for cross-boundary private cars to use that control point on a trial basis, whether the governments of Hong Kong and Guangdong will adopt other measures to encourage more goods vehicles, container trucks and other types of vehicles to use the above corridor, so as to ensure that the corridor can achieve its function of diverting traffic flows; if so, of the details of such measures?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) The initial daily two-way vehicular flow at the Shenzhen Bay Port (SBP) was estimated to be around 29,800 trips. As cross-boundary drivers are getting more used to using the new control point, the daily two-way vehicular flow has increased from about 1,400 in July to 3,256 in September 2007, details as follows:

Vehicle type Daily two-way vehicular flow
(September 2007)
------------ ----------------------------

Coach 389 trips
Private car 1,701 trips
Goods vehicle 1,166 trips

Total 3,256 trips

(b) We have sought the views of the cross-boundary freight trade on the use of SBP. Some trade members opined that the ancillary facilities around the Shenzhen port area were not yet fully developed, and the Hong Kong freight companies could not set up offices near the control point to provide support to cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers on customs declaration and clearance of goods. In addition, as the construction works of Guangshen Yanjiang Expressway linking the control point has yet to be completed, some goods vehicle drivers were concerned about the possible traffic congestion after entering the Shenzhen city by SBP.

(c) Apart from having reached agreement with the Guangdong government to exempt goods vehicles of cross-boundary freight companies from the requirement for applying for additional SBP crossing endorsement in advance from the relevant authorities in Guangdong Province and extending the arrangement for cross-boundary private cars to use the control point on a trial basis, we have also conveyed to the relevant Shenzhen authorities the trade's comments on ancillary facilities at the control point and the road network. We hope that they would consider implementing traffic management measures as necessary to improve the traffic condition of the connecting road network and complete the construction of Yanjiang Expressway as soon as possible to increase the capacity of the road network. We will continue to work closely with the relevant Mainland authorities to further improve the clearance arrangements at SBP to attract more vehicles to use the control point.

hkskyline

December 8th, 2007, 08:12 AM

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20071202/IMG_2018.jpg

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EricIsHim

December 10th, 2007, 03:11 PM

^^ A very hazy day....

hkskyline

December 23rd, 2007, 06:26 AM

http://www.dchome.net/attachments/day_071221/20071221_b4701ba1145c89780c68nwUG3JXZQUZ6.jpg

hkskyline

June 15th, 2008, 04:30 AM

車程勁遠清關超慢司機怕怕
西部通道拖垮貨櫃業
15/06/2008
http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/img/endmarker.gif

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20080615/img/sn14061505_big.jpg

【專案組記者梁春柳、葉永芝、張琦、鍾兆倫報道】耗資三十二億元打造的西部通道開通近一周年，但至今的車流量僅為預期的兩成多。除「先天」位置差，由通道往深圳，路程較其他口岸遠一大截，貨櫃車司機要支付多約二百元的油錢外，本報更發現，很多「後天」不足問題纏擾至今，如內地海關的報關配套不足，加上查車時間過長，令貨主卻步。學者警告，深圳西部碼頭相繼落成，新口岸設備若不改善，本港的貨櫃碼頭業，遲早被內地取代。

「特區政府畀畄咁多錢興建西部通道，以為可疏導落馬洲口岸砼貨運量，但新口岸根本無人吼。」西部通道在去年七月一日通車，港粵當局原本預測，開通初期每日平均往來車流量可達二萬九千八百架次，但運輸署數字顯示，在○八年四月，深圳灣口岸每日平均往來車流量約六千一百架次，只是原來預計的兩成多。目前只有六千三百輛跨境貨車在本港及內地辦妥增加通行深圳灣口岸的手續。

為刺激車流量，當局容許跨境貨車免辦手續自由使用深圳灣口岸，但反應一般，原來很多車主擔心一旦常使用新口岸，日後可能被取消原有口岸的使用資格，故大打退堂鼓。

事實上，很多要前往深圳的貨櫃車司機，從慳油及時間角度計算，根本找不到使用新通道的理由。「我疉由上水出發，用深圳灣口岸到深圳，車程要四十二公里，但取道落馬洲口岸，只需要行八公里。」經營中港物流生意、擁有近二十部貨櫃車的莊先生（化名）指出，油價不斷上升，每公升油價約十一元七角，以平均每公升油行駛兩公里計算，多行一公里多花五元五角，結果要花多約二百元油錢及更多行車時間。

落馬洲中港貨運聯會主席蔣志偉亦指出，業界選擇暢順及慳錢的路線，車輛從深圳灣口岸開出，駛入深圳月亮灣大道時，該處經常塞車，早已嚇怕司機。

經常水浸步步為營
除了這些「先天」問題外，莊先生還道出西部通道的「後天」問題，就是內地海關配套措施仍然嚴重不足。莊先生近日駕駛貨櫃車，與本報記者經西部通道過關，讓記者親身了解西部通道啟用近一年的情況，當時是某個工作日的中午時間，二十二條入境貨櫃車通道，僅兩條開放使用，過關的貨櫃車寥寥可數，大部分都是沒有載貨的空車。

「行內都知新口岸砼內地海關查得好緊，因為車流少自然查得緊，每次查車最少半個鐘，甚至幾個鐘不等，好多時客人為免麻煩，指令物流公司唔好用新口岸。」莊表示。

過關後的建築物，只有內地海關及油站，四周一片荒野，當日正下尠大雨，油站旁一條貨櫃車前住月亮灣大道的必經通道，排水能力極差，積水淹蓋整個車轆，反映路面設計有問題，莊先生及其他駕駛者都要步步為營。

深圳灣口岸的內地海關配套不足，缺乏銀行、報關行及運輸公司等辦公場地，不利跨境業界日常運作。香港物流協會會長黃輔華表示，物流業講求效率，涉及許多瑣碎事項，行內不少貨主可能會在過關前半小時才報關，惟新口岸欠缺報關行，令貨主感到很不便。

「深圳灣口岸砼貨量難有高增長，貨量不足亦都是其中一個主因。」理工大學物流學系助理臈授葉子良指出，建造新通道時，深圳西部只有蛇口及赤灣兩碼頭。內地經濟高速發展，新通道落成的同時，原有的碼頭不斷擴展之餘，更多建了媽灣及大鏟灣兩個碼頭。該兩個碼頭所提供的泊位媲美葵涌貨櫃碼頭，完全滿足東莞及深圳一帶工業區的需要。葉警告，新口岸仍不改善，香港的貨櫃碼頭業務恐怕很快便被內地完全取代。

hkskyline

July 18th, 2008, 02:43 PM

http://images4.fotop.net/albums4/ylangangle/my_home_Magic/IMG_8999_99.jpg

http://images4.fotop.net/albums4/ylangangle/my_home_Magic/IMG_9010_10.jpg

Source : http://www.fotop.net/ylangangle

hkskyline

August 22nd, 2008, 04:12 PM

Source : http://www.fotop.net/vickie

http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/vickie/vickie742/5_G_001.jpg

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http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/vickie/vickie742/R0011976_001.jpg

hkskyline

August 24th, 2008, 07:18 AM

Source : http://justinlaw.fotop.net/

http://imagesl.fotop.net/albums3/justinlaw/Western_Corridor/IMG_9951.jpg

EricIsHim

August 24th, 2008, 06:37 PM

All pictures here are the own work of mine taken on August 1, 2008.
Originally posted at http://s491.photobucket.com/albums/rr280/ericishim/200808%20Hong%20Kong%20Shen%20Zhen%20Western%20Corridor/

It was a unique ride to travel between Yuen Long Highway and Deep Bay Link before you hit the water. The highway is completely inland, swinging between hills back and fro for a good few minutes without a sight of any water but green; and then all the sudden you see the white tower stands out over the water after a sharp curve. It is just pretty and scenic.

The other interesting thing is, you know you are standing in Shen Zhen, but then you are still within the Hong Kong SAR control area. Everything is still very Hong Kong on that piece of land actually belongs to Shen Zhen, the signs, the vehicles, the characters etc. When you are inside the building, one end belongs to HK and the other end belongs to SZ. You can see what you are walking into and everything changes right across a 6-inch wide blue line on the floor inside a signle building. It was just a weird experience.

One thing, who pay the electric bill there? And who is the provider? CLP or the one in SZ? The a/c inside the building was amazingly cold on a hot summer day. It's probably in the teens inside the building, and everyone works inside had to wear a jacket. On top of the blazing a/c, they actually kept all the doors open and let the cold air rush outside. The way to waste energy. :bash::bash:

http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr280/ericishim/200808%20Hong%20Kong%20Shen%20Zhen%20Western%20Corridor/20080801_0104.jpg
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