Tsing Yi Bridge to be vehicle-free for six months

Tsing Yi Bridge, which has been serving the public for over 20 years, will be free of vehicles from Saturday (December 18) for about six months.

It will be temporarily closed to facilitate the Highways Department (HyD) to carry out rehabilitation works.

The 610-metre long bridge, linking Tsing Yi Island and Kwai Chung, was built in early 1970s for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

It has been playing a vital role in bringing people from Tsing Yi Island to different parts of Hong Kong, and its opening had marked a new era for developments on the island.

Speaking at a press briefing today (Thursday), Chief Engineer/Structures of HyD, Mr P C Wong, described Tsing Yi Bridge as a notable transport infrastructure in the early 1970s.

He said: "We have been closely monitoring the health of Tsing Yi Bridge and maintenance works for the wear and tear of the bridge were carried out to keep it in good shape.

"A comprehensive structural inspection of the bridge was also carried out in 1998. The inspection reveals that the bridge structure is in satisfactory condition.

"The load carrying capacity of the bridge is also found adequate to carry all the traffic, utilities and other loadings on it.

"Nevertheless, there is a need to replace the hinge bearings at mid-spans, movement joints and to relay carriageway surfacing as the bridge has been heavily trafficked since its opening in 1974."

To facilitate the rehabilitation works, Tsing Yi Bridge will be closed from 10 am this Saturday for about six months.

Despite the bridge closure, transport to and from the island will remain as usual as well-planned temporary traffic arrangements will be implemented.

Chief Engineer/New Territories West of the Transport Department, Mr Y M Lee, said: "During the bridge closure, motorists heading for Kwai Chung will be diverted to use Kwai Tsing Bridge.

"Kwai Tsing Bridge, which was fully opened to traffic in July this year, has four traffic lanes. It will be able to cope with the additional traffic flow brought by the temporary diversion."

On public transport services, Kowloon Motor Bus routes 41A, 42, 42A, 43, 43A, 43C, 43M, 44M, 242X, 243P, N241; cross-harbour route 948, and Long Win Bus route A31 on their journeys to Kwai Chung will be diverted to route via Kwai Tsing Bridge.

Kwai Chung-bound green minibus routes 88, 88B, 88C, 88D, 88M and 405 will also observe the above diversion.

"Though the diversion will only take a few minutes' extra time," Mr Lee noted, "the public are urged to take their time to avoid unnecessary delay."

"Motorists should drive with patience and pay attention to the temporary traffic signs erected," he added.

Thursday, December 16, 1999