The Cheung Sha Wan-Tsing Yi section of Tsing Sha Highway on Route 8 will open to traffic at 7am on December 20. The move will fully open the highway, after the Sha Tin-Cheung Sha Wan section opened in March.

The Transport Department said today the new 7km section comprises Stonecutters Bridge, across the Rambler Channel, and the Nam Wan Tunnel on Tsing Yi. It connects to the Sha Tin-Cheung Sha Wan section to the east, and the Tsing Ma and Ting Kau Bridges to the west.

The highway will give more options for travelling between Sha Tin, Lantau Island, West Kowloon and the northwest New Territories. It will provide direct and convenient links to container terminals No.8 and 9 at Ngong Shuen Chau and Tsing Yi, relieving traffic in the vicinity and especially during delivery peaks, and diverting traffic flow to the airport and container terminals.

Extra road capacity will be offered to meet traffic demand arising from the long-term development of Lantau Island and the northern New Territories.

The highway has two series of road tunnels. Tolls for the set connecting Sha Tin, which comprises the Eagle's Nest, Sha Tin Heights and Tai Wai Tunnels, is $8. The other set, involving Nam Wan Tunnel on Tsing Yi, is toll-free.

The entire highway is designated a control area. New Territories and Lantau taxis and red minibuses are not permitted to use it.

Traffic restrictions or prohibition will be imposed on the Stonecutters Bridge under strong wind conditions.

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