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6.5.27 it is estimated that traffic volume on the northern section would decrease by 22%if the southern section were not opened simultaneously. The most serious consequencesof this situation would be felt on Tuen Mun Road and Castle Peak Roadbetween Yau Kom Tau and Tsuen Wan. In addition, numerous roads in Tsuen Wanand Kwai Chung would be operating at capacity as vehicles were forced to travelthrough these areas to the urban area.6.5.28 Traffic volumes on this route, and in the North-west New Territories in general,would be increased in the event of stronger population growth in this region, orhigher volumes of traffic crossing the border with China. However, the additionalvolumes could be accommodated satisfactorily.6.5.29 The alignment and design of the Tsing Yi section is dependent upon the ultimatedevelopment of port and replacement airport facilities. With the possible newrepiacement airport relocated to North Lantau and port development on LantauIsland, the airport and port traffic coming into the urban area would require anincrease in capacity for the southern section of this part of Route 3 from a dual3-iane to a dual 4-Iane facility by 2001.6.5.30 Con elusions—This part of Route 3 is necessary to provide satisfactory service onlinks between the Western New Territories and urban area. Budget limitations and itsrelationship to other projects indicate a late 1990s timing for this project. Underthese conditions, temporary congestion may occur on several links in or approachingTsuen Wan and Kwai Chung, particularly Tuen Mun and Castle Peak Roads. Shortterm improvements should be investigated for these local problems.6.5.31$> Conclusions for Route 3 as a Whole—Considered with the previous conclusionsconcerning the WHC and WKE, it is recommended that the major projects designatedas parts of Route 3 be programmed in the south to north sequence: Western HarbourCrossing and South Kwai Chung Road, West Kowloon Expressway, section to YauKom Tau and section to Yuen Long.6.6 Route?6.6.1 A This is a proposed expressway at the western end of Hong Kong Island. It wasanalysed in two sections: between Sai Ying Pun and Kennedy Town, and fromKennedy Town to Aberdeen. *Route 7 (Sal Ying Pun to Kennedy Town)6.6.2 This is a proposed dual 3~lane expressway elevated above Connaught Road andcontinuing to Kennedy Town. It would connect to the Rumsey Street flyover, nowunder construction, and to the proposed Western Harbour Crossing.6.6.3 Traffic volumes in 1996 on this section of Route 7, if constructed without thesection to Aberdeen, would range from 21 000 pcus per day on the Kennedy Townsection to 43000 on the Sai Ying Pun section; well below traffic capacity. TheKennedy Town section would reduce Belcher's Street, Kennedy Town Praya andPokfulam Road from severely congested conditions to near capacity operations.Traffic on this section of Route 7 would come primarily from ground level ConnaughtRoad West and secondarily from Des Voeux Road West and Queen's Road West.Connaught Road West would then carry 25% less traffic and operate within capacity.The light volume on the Kennedy Town section of Route 7 is a result of poorconnections with Pok Fu Lam Road, which are constrained by difficult topography.6.6.4 Projected traffic volumes for 2001, now including the extension to Aberdeen, varyfrom 87 000 pcus per day on the Kennedy Town section to 124 000 on the Sai YingPun section. The latter would be operating at practical capacity. It is estimated thatabout 12% of this traffic is attributable to the Green Island Reclamation, 27% todiversion of trips originating in the Southern District out of the Aberdeen tunnel,and the balance of relief of local streets.108