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New Boundary crossing
www.chinamotorway.com 2/9/2006 |
An extra boundary crossing is being constructed to ease
congestion at the existing boundary crossings between Hong
Kong and mainland China.
Following the 2001 Cross links
Study, the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) decided to build a further boundary crossing
between HKSAR and mainland China. The existing three are often
congested.
A contract was awarded to a partnership
comprising Gammon, Skanska International Civil Engineering and
Zhongtie Major Bridge Engineering (MBEC) to build the Hong
Kong-Shenzhen Western Corrior(HK-SWC) with design consultation
provided by Ove Arup& Partners(HK).
Commissioned in
August 2003 with an estimated cost of HK$2.2 billion (US$283.4
million), the construction of a 3.5km long dual three-lane
carriageway spanning the Deep Bay river delta from Ngau Hom
Shek in the north west of the New Territories to HK-SWC on
mainland china is the core of the project.
The 3.2km
over-water section will feature an elevated approach pre-cast
segmental viaduct running from the landing point at Ngau Hom
Shek which connects to a 460m long steel deck cable-stayed
bridge located at the southern navigational channel at the
HKSAR marine boundary.
A China State joint venture will
complete the boundary crossing, extending the causeway from
the marine boundary to Dongjiaotou in Shekou, mainland
China.
To alleviate congestion pressures in HKSAR, the
HK-SWC will connect to the HK$6.9 billion ($890 million),
5.4km, dual three-lane Deep Bay Link, which was started in
June 2003. This will link Ngau Hom Shek to the Yuen Long
Highway/Lam Tei Interchage in the south when complete.
The
final requirement was progressed in June 2004 when the HKSAR
government awarded a contract to supply a traffic control and
surveillance system (TCSS) for the HK-SWC, the Deep Bay Link
and the 8km, dual two-lane, Yuen Long Highway to a joint
venture comprising Serco Integrated Transport (UK), Serco
Group (Hong Kong) and KML Engineering.
The HK$82.65 million
($10.65 million) project includes the design, supply,
installation, commission, and maintenance of a TCSS. It will
incorporate an interface with the Shenzhen section of the
HK-SWC to ensure effective manage the contract on the ground
and supply and install the CCTV surveillance system, vehicle
detection, traffic control devices and communications in
association with KML Engineering.
The central system at the
core of the TCSS is based on the National Driver Information
and Control System (NADICS), originally developed by Serco
Integrated Transport for the Scottish Executive and further
developed for the Roads and Traffic Authority of New South
Wales (Australia), as part of the system installed for the
Sydney Olympics in 2000. Taking data from various sources that
monitor primary function of the central system is to manage
road incidents by recommending suitable responses to
operators, allowing their rapid implementation via roadside
equipment as part of a coordinated, automated response or
manually by the operator.
The TCSS will include 11 gantries
incorporating lane control systems and variable advisory speed
restrictions. Variable message signs, including eight full
function, dual language, Chinese – English signs (as seen in
operation elsewhere on the Hong Kong road network) will also
be installed.
Two vehicle detection sites that monitor
bridge traffic numbers and an interface to a number of
external applications including weather and structural
monitoring system on the bridge and an external web server
will complete the project. Importantly, the TCSS is designed
to allow further strategic expansion and development, as the
Government of the HKSAR aims to strengthen the position of
Hong Kong as the hub of the Pearl River Delta area.
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