| Question 1: |
What is Central-Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link (the CWB)? |
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The CWB is a new strategic trunk road running along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island. It will be a 4.5 km long dual three lane trunk road consisting of a length of 3.7 km tunnel from Central Rumsey Street Flyover, extending to the vicinity of City Garden at North Point, and finally connecting to the Island Eastern Corridor.
Upon completion of the CWB, it will only take about 5 minutes to travel between Central and Island Eastern Corridor at North Point. Linkage between the east of Hong Kong Island and other districts in the North-west of New Territories such as Tuen Mun or Hong Kong International Airport, will be more direct without passing through the busy districts of Causeway Bay, Wan Chai and Central.
The CWB will link up the reclamation area of Central and Wan Chai, running through the sea-bed of Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter (CBTS). The proposed scheme of the CWB is widely supported by the public, as the tunnel option can facilitate the harbour front enhancement programme and allow the public to enjoy the valuable waterfront area. |
| Question 2: |
Why we need the CWB? |
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The existing Connaught Road Central/ Harcourt Road/ Gloucester Road corridor is heavily trafficked, the traffic congestion not only occurs in peak hours, but also in most of the time. Any traffic accident on the corridor will result in rapid deterioration of traffic conditions and even complete blockage of roads.
Traffic from the northern shore of Hong Kong Island currently must use the above corridor, the CWB can thus divert the traffic from the commercial centre. The CWB will serve to relieve the existing traffic congestion and to cater for the anticipated traffic growth upon its commissioning. |
| Question 3: |
What are the consequences of not constructing the CWB now? |
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If we do not start constructing CWB now for completion in 2017, the situation will by then deteriorate in the following aspects:
- Frequency of occurrence traffic congestion will be increased
- Air quality, noise pollution and environmental will deteriorate
- The existing Connaught Road Central / Harcourt Road / Gloucester Road corridor has been used for many years, and the need for frequent maintenance works is increasing. If the CWB could not be commissioned in 2017 as scheduled, partial closure of the corridor for maintenance works may lead to full paralysis of the east – west traffic.
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| Question 4: |
Will the traffic congestion occur during the construction period of the project? |
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Construction traffic impact assessment (CTIA) study has been carried out during the detailed design stage. During the construction period, apart from compliance with recommendations in the CTIA, the contractors will also be required to submit the proposed temporary traffic diversions to the relevant authorities (including Transport Department and Hong Kong Police Force) for approval before implementation, and for major ones, to consult district councils as well for support. |
| Question 5: |
What will be the temporary traffic diversion in the Island Eastern Corridor during the construction period of the project? |
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In order to give room for the tunnel construction and to merge with the tunnel alignment, the existing Island Eastern Corridor (from Hing Fat Street to Provident Centre) will be demolished and reconstructed in stages. The existing traffic capacity of the IEC, i.e., the existing eastbound and westbound four-lane traffic will be maintained. Traffic during construction will be diverted in stages using new or temporary bridges, which will be provided along with appropriate traffic signs to notify road drivers.
The reconstruction of the above section of existing IEC is expected to commence by end 2010 for completion in 2017. |
| Question 6: |
What will be the temporary traffic diversion in Central during the construction period of the project? |
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Construction works at Central mainly consist of the construction of tunnel, portal, approach road and slip roads from Rumsey Street Flyover to west of Man Yiu Street. To meet project needs, Man Po Street, Man Yiu Street and Financial Street will be diverted in phases. Vehicular access to/from IFCII, MTR Hong Kong Station, IFC arcades and the Four Seasons Hotel will be maintained during the construction period, along with temporary signs to notify motorists. The works commenced in Sept 2010 for completion in mid 2016. Moreover, the layout of the existing bus terminus to the west of Man Yiu Street has been modified to spare temporary works area (about 15m width) at its south end necessary for construction of the CWB tunnel structure. |
| Question 7: |
What will be the environmental impacts brought about by the CWB Project and whether appropriate environmental mitigation measures will be implemented? |
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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under the “Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance” was carried out and submitted to the Director of Environmental Protection on 31 October 2007. Environmental Advisory Committee conditionally endorsed the EIA Report on 14 February 2008. The EIA Report was approved by Director of Environmental Protection under the EIA Ordinance on 11 December 2008. A detailed assessment of the Project including the temporary reclamation has been shown on the report, including the environmental impact of air quality, noise, water quality, waste management, land contamination and so on. The Report concluded that, with implementation of the recommended mitigation measures in the course of construction and operation stages, the environmental impacts due to the construction works will be acceptable. Mitigation measures including the use of low-noise devices, mobile / temporary noise barriers to reduce the construction noise impact, dust-reducing measures under "Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation", installation of silt screens and silt curtains in appropriate dredging area and selected seawater intake, and so on. |
| Question 8: |
How will be the design of the noise barrier? What will be the green measures to improve the landscape? |
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There are noise barriers in forms of vertical barriers and cantilevered barriers. There are also noise semi-enclosures with arched top. Vertical greening will be installed at the bottom of the vertical face of noise barriers / semi-enclosures, shrubs / evergreen plants will also be planted outside the noise barriers / semi-enclosures to improve the landscape. Roof greening with skylight will also be provided for the part of the noise semi-enclosures east of the landscape deck.
We understand the community concern about the appearance of noise barriers.
We will make reference to the design concept of the winning entries of the international open design competition of noise barriers / enclosures conducted in January 2009 into the noise barriers / semi-enclosures design in the CWB Project. The detailed aesthetic design will be carried out by the contractor. Eastern District Council will be consulted during the development of the detailed aesthetic design before commencement of construction. |
