Action soon on plan to cut congestion at Cross-Harbour Tunnel
Plans for a one-year trial aimed at cutting congestion in the Cross-Harbour Tunnel will be published for public consultation "very soon", a source said.
It is intended to raise tolls in the tunnel, from Hung Hom to Causeway Bay, and reduce the cost of using the Eastern Harbour Crossing, from Quarry Bay to Cha Kwo Ling.
A consultant's report in 2010 said such an arrangement could divert 4,300 of the 120,000 vehicles passing through the government-owned Cross-Harbour Tunnel each day to the eastern crossing, which is used by 69,000 vehicles per day.
The study suggested raising the Cross-Harbour Tunnel toll for private cars from HK$20 to HK$25 and cutting the cost at the eastern tunnel from HK$25 to HK$20. But the source said the government would present "a few plans" for the public to discuss, with the fare adjustment and the types of vehicles targeted yet to be finalised.
If tolls remain the same, it will stay as congested as it is now
The government would review the effectiveness of the measures after a year, he said.