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 suspected dangerous drugs worth over $5 million

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 24) seized about 12.4 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of over $5 million, at Hong Kong International Airport.

Through risk assessment, Customs yesterday inspected an air parcel, declared as swimming pool sanitisers and arriving in Hong Kong from Spain via France. Upon inspection, Customs officers found that the batch of suspected ketamine inside four plastic buckets in the parcel.

After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation today (August 25) and arrested a local female suspect aged 23 in Kwun Tong. The investigation of the case is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Customs reminds people to pay attention to the fact that drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence. Criminal conviction will result in grave repercussions for their future and they should not take risks in the hope that they may not be caught.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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 yesterday (August 24) seized about 12.4 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value over $5 million, at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows the suspected ketamine seized in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases