HyD Signs Works Contract for Widening of Yuen Long Highway (Section between Lam Tei Quarry and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange)

HyD signs works contract for Widening of Yuen Long Highway (Section between Lam Tei Quarry and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange)

The Highways Department (HyD) today (June 29) signed a works contract with the Gammon Construction - Build King - Tung Lee Joint Venture for the Widening of Yuen Long Highway (Section between Lam Tei Quarry and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange), marking the official commencement of the construction stage of the HyD's first strategic road infrastructure project for the Northern Metropolis, fully supporting its long-term development.

The scope of works mainly comprises the widening of an approximately 3-kilometre-long section of Yuen Long Highway between Lam Tei Quarry and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange from a dual three-lane carriageway to a dual four-lane carriageway; the widening of a section of the slip road connecting Hung Tin Road (southbound) and Yuen Long Highway (eastbound) from a single-lane carriageway to a two-lane carriageway; and the construction of noise barriers with a total length of approximately 2.1km to mitigate the traffic noise impact on nearby residents.

During the planning and design stages, the project team had been seeking more cost-effective construction methods, including optimising the design of retaining walls and noise barriers to reduce construction costs, minimise the scale of works and shorten the construction period. The project team will continue to uphold a proactive and innovative mindset and closely collaborate with the contractor. While ensuring the safety and quality of works, the team will strive to control the cost, enhance construction efficiency, and minimise the impact on nearby residents and existing traffic during construction.

The estimated total contract sum is about $1.37 billion, with targeted completion in 2031. Upon completion of the project, the overall traffic capacity of this section of Yuen Long Highway will be substantially enhanced to meet the traffic demands of the Northern Metropolis (including the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area and Yuen Long South New Development Area in the Northwest New Territories), delivering substantial benefits to the development of the Northern Metropolis.

The Highways Department (HyD) today (June 29) signed a works contract with Gammon Construction - Build King - Tung Lee Joint Venture for Widening of Yuen Long Highway (Section between Lam Tei Quarry and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange). Photo shows the Director of Highways, Mr Tony Yau (fifth left), and the Project Manager/Major Works of the HyD, Mr Patrick Ng (fourth left), with representatives from the Joint Venture at the contract signing ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes eggs of suspected scheduled endangered bird species

Hong Kong Customs detected a case involving a passenger smuggling endangered species at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on June 27 and seized 777 eggs of suspected scheduled endangered bird species, with an estimated market value of about $10.9 million.

A 27-year-old Chinese male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Thailand on June 27. He was intercepted for Customs clearance at the arrival hall of HKIA. Customs officers found the batch of bird eggs concealed in metal boxes inside his carry-on baggage. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the bird eggs were suspected to be endangered species listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong.

The case has been handed over to the AFCD for follow-up action. Hong Kong Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

Hong Kong Customs seizes eggs of suspected scheduled endangered bird species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases