Open Letters and Documents
Central project to preserve our natural heritage
The Central reclamation will provide land for key transport infrastructure to relieve traffic congestion and allow people enjoy our natural wonder - Victoria Harbour.
This is the message from Director of Territory Development Wong Hung-kin who says the public generally supports the proposal.
"We fully share sentiments for preserving Victoria Harbour. But the important point is there is a genuine urgency attached to the project which will provide land for both strategic infrastructure and recreational open space, serving the community and tourists alike," Mr Wong exclusively told news.gov.hk.
Central Reclamation Phase 3
Reprovisioned Star Ferry Pier
Star Ferry Pier 1912
Heritage preserved: Proposed reclamation works in Central will provide 18 hectares of land for both strategic infrastructure and recreational open space, giving the public convenient access to our natural wonder - Victoria Harbour. One of the key features is the reprovisioned Star Ferry Pier which will adopt its 1912 design to add a little history to the waterfront promenade..
Hong Kong's history begins with Victoria Harbour, which has served many different roles.
In the past, it was a deep-water port for trade and supported our sizeable fishing community. Now it has become a vibrant tourist attraction.
However, the existing waterfront north of Hong Kong Island has been occupied by developments and waterfront facilities that restrict, if not totally deprive, the public of access.
Providing convenient harbour access
Mr Wong said: "When we talk about the harbour as a public asset, we want people to have convenient access to it and enjoy it."
"Because the harbour is valuable to us, we need to have the vision to perceive what is best for Hong Kong on the whole and look at the proposal objectively, in light of the benefits it will bring to Hong Kong."
"One of the things the proposed reclamation can achieve is to give the harbour back to Hong Kong people."
Under the Central Reclamation Phase III project, a world-class waterfront promenade will be built so people can stroll along the harbour front and enjoy the scenery.
An oasis in a dense concrete jungle
Additional open space will be provided to meet shortfalls and serve as an oasis to the large population in Central and Wan Chai who have hitherto been bounded within a dense concrete jungle.
"The harbour front will have a classic touch, with the reconstruction of the Star Ferry Pier using a historical heritage approach similar to the 1912 design. It will become another landmark for which Hong Kong will be remembered," Mr Wong said.
On the transport front, traffic jams occur regularly along the northshore corridor during peak hours, with the volume to capacity ratio at Gloucester Road and Harcourt Road at about 1.0.
It is expected that the ratio on the most critical section of Gloucester Road during peak hours will be 1.2 and 1.3 in 2011 and 2016 respectively.
New link needed to improve traffic flow
Mr Wong said: "To relieve traffic congestion, the only feasible and environmentally acceptable way is to construct the four-km long Central-Wan Chai Bypass through reclamation, and enhance the existing road network."
The new link will connect the Rumsey Street Flyover with the Island Eastern Corridor via the Island Eastern Corridor Link.
The reclaimed land will also offer MTR opportunities to extend the Hong Kong Station overrun tunnel. This will help improve operation efficiency of the Tung Chung and Airport Express Lines.
Extent of reclamation kept to a minimum
Central Reclamation Phase III is the final phase. It requires minimum reclamation - only 18 hectares - for essential transport infrastructure, and the area will be developed into a world-class waterfront.
A stringent environmental monitoring and audit programme regarding air quality, noise monitoring, water quality and waste management will be implemented to minimise environmental impact during construction.
(Content reproduced from news.gov.hk with permission)