TD's statement on traffic accident on Kap Shui Mun Bridge

In response to media enquiries about the accident which occurred yesterday on Kap Shui Mun Bridge, a Transport Department (TD) spokesman said: "In designing the Lantau Link (which includes Kap Shui Mun Bridge and the Tsing Ma Bridge) as a whole, we considered that the dual three lane design should be able to provide adequate road space for any incident vehicles to wait for recovery or rescue. In addition, the provision of a lower deck would be able to cope with any traffic diversion required in the event of any traffic incident on the upper deck.

"The design of the Kap Shui Mun Bridge is in compliance with international standards and 'hard shoulders' are not a standard requirement for bridges."

The spokesman added that TD and the management company had responded promptly after the accident happened by putting a set of proven procedures in place and there were no serious disruptions to the Airport bound traffic.

End/Tuesday, August 28, 2001