$3b not enough to build noise-free highways

Officials withdrew requests for $3 billion in funding for two highway projects after members complained residents would suffer if noise-reduction barriers were not built. Highways officials said building such barriers would be expensive and care should be taken with public money.

The two projects are the Route 5 section between Shek Wai Kok and Chai Wan Kok in Tsuen Wan, costing about $1.17 billion and intended to relieve congestion in Tsuen Wan, and a trunk road in Ma On Shan, estimated at $2 billion.