Second Stage of Drainage Improvement Works at Nathan Road to start (2/3/1999)

The Drainage Services Department (DSD) will start works on the second stage of drainage improvement works at Nathan Road, Mong Kok, on March 7 (Sunday).

"We will have to close a section of the southbound lane of Nathan Road, between Boundary Street and Nullah Road, for seven and a half months to facilitate the works," DSD Chief Engineer/Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme, Mr Hon Chi-keung said today (Tuesday).

"Traffic arrangements during the closure of this section of Nathan Road have been worked out with extreme care to minimise disruption," Mr Hon said.

During the closure, extensive main drains and gully connections will be constructed.

The works will include laying about 340 metres of main drains ranging from 30 to 60 centimetres in diameter and 250 metres of gully connection drains. In addition, about 2,800 square metres of affected road surface will be reconstructed.

"Works will be carried out largely on the carriageway so that pedestrian access to the area and shops along Nathan Road will not be affected," Mr Hon stressed.

Mr Hon said that under the first stage of the drainage works, northbound traffic along the section of Nathan Road between Lai Chi Kok Road and Boundary Street had been diverted to Lai Chi Kok Road and Portland Street. This will remain unchanged.

"The major change is to shift the southbound traffic of Nathan Road between Boundary Street and Nullah Road from the southbound carriageway to the northbound," he said.

Other changes are as follows:

* Two existing bus stops (one outside 776-792 Nathan Road and the other outside the Allied Plaza) will be moved outwards to the road, where temporary waiting platforms will be provided.

* 24-hour no-stopping restriction will be imposed on both sides of Nathan Road between Boundary Street and Nullah Road, except at the temporary bus stops where loading and unloading activities will be allowed from 7 pm to 7 am the following day.

* Two additional loading and unloading areas will be provided at Arran Street between Portland Street and Nathan Road, as well as Playing Field Road between Portland Street and Nathan Road.

Traffic condition during the closure will be closely monitored both on the ground and by closed-circuit television in the area traffic control room in the TD.

Mr Hon said mitigating measures would be maintained to keep noise level, dust and vibration to a minimum and a dedicated patrol team would monitor the site situation to ensure cleanliness, tidiness and sufficient lighting.

The first stage of the works, which were carried out on the northbound lane of Nathan Road between Lai Chi Kok Road and Boundary Street, have been completed four and a half months ahead the original schedule.

The works involved laying 580 metres of main drains ranging from 30 to 82.5 centimetres in diameter and 300 metres of gully connection drains. In addition, about 4,800 square metres of affected road surface has been reconstructed.

Works for the second stage are expected to complete in October, about two months earlier than the schedule.

End/Tuesday, March 2, 1999