Factsheets, Plans and Map, Review Report
Fact Sheet
Central Reclamation Phase III (CRIII) - The Benefits
- CRIII is an 18-hectare, $3.8 billion project that will substantially improve the living and working environment in Central and its harbourfront.
- It is a transport-led project that will meet essential transport needs and solve projected major traffic congestion problems in Central and Wan Chai.
- The Central - Wan Chai Bypass to be built under CRIII will divert traffic away from the Central Business District to relieve existing and projected traffic congestion along the Connaught Road Central / Harcourt Road / Gloucester Road Corridor. The Road P2 network will alleviate traffic congestion within Central.
- The Airport Railway Extended Overrun Tunnel will enable the Airport Express and Tung Chung Line to operate at full design capacity.
- The land formed by CRIII will provide a unique opportunity to create a vibrant, accessible waterfront. It is a key step in realising the vision of a harbour for the people and a harbour of life, easily accessible for the enjoyment of all. Leisure, tourism, retail facilities and public plazas are envisioned. CRIII will be an integral part of a waterfront promenade running along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island.
- The large, open public spaces along the new waterfront (the land zoned as "Open Space" on CRIII amounts to some 8.78 ha) will provide various activity spaces for the public and a much-needed east-west pedestrian connection in the area. The total area of the waterfront promenade is about half of the Victoria Park.
- Along the waterfront promenade, focal points would be formed at where the north-south corridors (i.e. the Statue Square Corridor, Civic Corridor and Arts and Entertainment Corridor) join the waterfront promenade. The waterfront promenade will allow visitors and tourists to better enjoy the harbour front and views of Hong Kong's stunning skyline.
- The 1912 Star Ferry Piers will be recreated on the new waterfront. It will become a new landmark and a major tourist attraction. Restaurants, cafˆms, tourism and related retail facilities will be provided at the new piers. The reprovisioned Star Ferry Pier is designed with a historical heritage approach similar to the year 1912 design to add a little history to the new waterfront promenade.
- The Comprehensive Development Area would be composed of a low-rise landscaped deck on the east and a medium-rise 'groundscraper' development on the west. The height of the landscaped deck (i.e. 16 mPD) would be similar to the existing Star Ferry Car Park, while the highest part of the 'groundscraper' (i.e. 50 mPD) would be lower than the City Hall High Block. The 'groundscraper' would have varying stepped heights descending from south to north and from west to east. Uninterrupted pedestrian connection from the Statute Square to the waterfront would be provided through the site.
- The maximum building heights of the 4 "Waterfront Related Commercial and Leisure Uses" sites are 15 mPD (2 storeys) for the "OU(1)" site, 25 mPD (4 storeys) for the two "OU(2)" sites and 13 mPD (1 storey) for the "OU(3)" site. The building heights would not exceed that of the Murray House in Stanley.
- The CRIII reclamation will remove the embayment between the Central Reclamation Phase I and the HKCEC Extension. This will improve the current flow of water currents in the Harbour, with most of the polluted discharges along the existing waterfront diverted further out to the faster flowing and better-flushed part of the Harbour. Professor Y.S. Li, of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has confirmed that the CRIII reclamation will enhance the tidal flow and water quality in Victoria Harbour by eliminating a zone of rather stagnant water.
- CRIII will adopt a wave absorbing (low wave-energy reflection) seawall design with a perforated chamber and vertical slots. The perforated chamber will allow wave energy to be dissipated rather than reflected back into the Harbour. The design of the seawall will help protect the marine environment by provide a refuge for fish and other marine organisms.
- The CRIII works contract will initially create about 400 direct jobs. Also, up to 1,100 additional jobs will be created as the project progresses over the next four years.