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6.6.5 The Single Year Rate of Return on this route is LOW because it is expensive and theeconomic benefits are largely confined to a small area and are therefore relativelysmall.6.6.6 "T Conclusions—Although the economic benefits are low, this section of Route 7 isrequires by the mid 1990s for local traffic reasons and to provide adequateconnections for the Western Harbour Crossing.Route 7 (Kennedy Town to Aberdeen)6.6.7 This section of Route 7 is proposed as a dual 3-lane expressway at ground level onthe Green Island Reclamation and on structure to the south. This highway wouldserve several purposes: traffic relief to Pokfulam and Victoria Roads, service to theGreen island Reclamation and potential connections to any proposed port andreplacement airport facilities in the Western Harbour.6.6.8 The section of Route 7 in Pokfulam is projected to carry 70 000 pcus per day in2001. Parallel Victoria and Pokfuiam Roads would be relieved of about 30 000 pcusper day, but Pokfulam Road would still be congested northbound in the morningpeak.6.6.9 The completed Route 7 expressway from Aberdeen to the Western HarbourCrossing would divert approximately 34 000 pcus per day away from the Aberdeentunnel which would then carry 84 000 pcus per day and operate without congestion.This diversion would also improve conditions on the main trunk roads on thesouthern shore of the Island between the Aberdeen tunnel and Wah Fu.6.6.10 Completion of the southern section of Route 7 is estimated to place an additional56000 pcus per day on the northern section, largely due to diversion from theAberdeen tunnel. This southern section of Route 7 would provide connections toany new trunk roads to the Green Island Reclamation and any proposed airportfacilities in the Western Harbour, and should be planned in conjunction with thesedevelopments.6.6.11 The economic benefits of this section of Route 7 are higher than those of thenorthern section and it is considered economically a worthwhile project.6.6.12 The analyses indicated that the amount of traffic diverted onto Route 7 from parallelstreets and hence the traffic relief provided by it, is sensitive to conditions of access.These points should be taken into account in the detailed traffic and engineeringstudies for this route.6.6.13 If the replacement airport is relocated to the Western Harbour and with the portdevelopment on Lantau, the additional airport and port traffic would have seriousconsequences for Route 7, requiring an increase in capacity from dual 3-lane to dual5-lane.6.6.14 ^5 Conclusions—This project particularly illustrates the necessity for joint planning ofland use developments and transport facilities. The appropriate capacity andconfiguration for this section of Route 7 will only be clear when decisions are madeconcerning the Green Island Reclamation and the future strategy on port and airportdevelopments. Even without these facilities, the substantial congestion indicated onPokfulam and Victoria Roads is related to planned population increases in the area.Also, this project is expected to contribute significantly to the usage of the WesternHarbour Crossing and the highways in West Kowloon. In order not to overloadthe West Kowloon Corridor in advance of the completion of the West KowloonExpressway, this project is programmed for a start in the late 1990s. The question ofaccess to this project should be reviewed at the design stage." 109