The Transport Department (TD) today (November 13) said that public transport services have been seriously affected this morning due to continued large-scale road blockages and damage to road facilities to varying degrees. In view of safety concerns and uncertain road conditions, franchised buses can only provide limited services. The New Territories East, the New Territories West and Kowloon have been affected more seriously. With the temporary removal of obstacles on individual roads and the coordination of the TD and public transport operators, the numbers of routes providing limited services by the bus companies as at 11am are as follows:
 
Citybus and New World First Bus: 70
Kowloon Motor Bus and Long Win Bus: 25
Cross harbour bus: 13
   
     In addition, traffic lights in various districts have been damaged in the past few days and more than 240 sets are under urgent repair. Those in Yau Tsim Mong, Sha Tin, Yuen Long and Tai Po are seriously affected and the repair work on some of the road sections including Nathan Road and Argyle Street in Mongkok, Tai Chung Kiu Road and Siu Lek Yuen Road in Sha Tin, Tin Shui Road in Tin Shui Wai and Tai Wo Road in Tai Po is expected to take some time. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to be patient and pay attention to road safety when passing through the affected junctions.
 
     For the safety of road users, the TD again appeals to members of the public to stop damaging traffic lights and other road facilities. As road conditions and railway services may change in a short period of time, the TD urges commuters to continue to stay tuned to the latest traffic news. For details, please visit the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/tc/home/index.html) or mobile application "HKeMobility".

     The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Section project, comprising the HZMB Hong Kong Link Road (HKLR) and Hong Kong Port (HKP), was awarded yesterday (November 12, London time) the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) People's Choice Award 2019 for its remarkable achievement in project management and contribution to the enhancement of regional transportation networks. This is the first time that a major Hong Kong infrastructure project has won the award.
 
     The ICE People's Choice Award is a leading industry award for projects that have had a transformative effect on the built environment.
 
     The Project Manager of the Major Works Project Management Office (Special Duties) of the Highways Department, Mr Chris Wong, said, "The uniqueness of this infrastructure lies in its engineering achievements and bringing the three cities, Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao, much closer, thus enhancing the prosperity and economic development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. We are honoured that the mega project has won this prestigious award. It recognises the hard work and unyielding steadfastness of all those who contributed to achieving this engineering wonder."
 
     Mr Wong noted that when constructing the HZMB HKLR, the design of the 180-metre-long span bridge was adopted to pass over the northern shore of Lantau Island and avoid touching the headland of Sha Lo Wan, which has significant archaeological conservation value. The construction of the Passenger Clearance Building (PCB) of the HZMB HKP is another highlight of the project. 
 
     "The roof of the PCB is designed in the form of a wave to evoke the undulating flow of surrounding waters. It is supported by a few tree-like structural columns to create an enhanced sense of spaciousness at the arrival and departure halls. Designed with abundant natural light, the PCB is an energy efficient and environmentally friendly infrastructure. The project team adopted large-scale prefabricated modules for erection of the roof for the PCB to achieve faster construction progress, enhance the quality of work and reduce the amount of working at height," he added.
 
     The 55-kilometre-long HZMB, comprising the 12km HKLR, 29.6km Main Bridge and 13.4km Zhuhai Link Road, commenced operation in October 2018. The HZMB serves as the unprecedented cross-boundary transport infrastructure connecting Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and is the longest bridge-cum-tunnel sea crossing in the world, bringing the Western Pearl River Delta region within three hours' drive of Hong Kong. 
 
     For more details regarding the project, please visit HZMB website: www.hzmb.gov.hk/en/project/project.html.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The agenda of the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting, scheduled for today (November 13) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex, has been revised. The President of the LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, has given permission for Mr Ip Kin-yuen to ask, under Rule 24(4) of the Rules of Procedure, an urgent oral question on the emergency measures to allay public resentment immediately.
 
     For the latest agenda items of today's LegCo meeting, please refer to the LegCo Website: www.legco.gov.hk/yr19-20/english/counmtg/agenda/cm20191113.htm.

     Owing to the situation in Yuen Long District, and to ensure the safety of patients and staff members, the Department of Health today (November 13) announced that the Madam Yung Fung Shee Maternal and Child Health Centre will be closed from 1pm today.

     Those with appointments will be given a new appointment.

     The Immigration Department announced today (November 13) that due to special incidents occurring in Yuen Long, the Yuen Long Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre was closed at 11.50am.
 
     Members of the public who have appointments for today may proceed to the Replacement Centre on later days for identity card replacement and they need not make another appointment. Subject to the actual circumstances of various districts, individual Replacement Centres may close earlier at any time. Before proceeding to the Replacement Centres, applicants are advised to check the latest government press releases or call the Replacement Centres.