Environmental Protection

The government is dedicated to improving and protecting the environment. Therefore, green measures have been incorporated into the design and construction processes for the Heung Yuen Wai Highway (HYWH), in order to strike a balance between development and environmental protection, such as the green facilities and design for the Administrative Building at Wo Keng Shan Road, and the lighting system on the viaducts. They are the good examples of making good use of natural resources and energy conservation.There is also greening along the highway for blending in with the surrounding environment.

Environmental Protection

The government is dedicated to improving and protecting the environment. Therefore, green measures have been incorporated into the design and construction processes for the Heung Yuen Wai Highway (HYWH), in order to strike a balance between development and environmental protection, such as the green facilities and design for the Administrative Building at Wo Keng Shan Road, and the lighting system on the viaducts. They are the good examples of making good use of natural resources and energy conservation.There is also greening along the highway for blending in with the surrounding environment.

Green Building

The Administration Building at Wo Keng Shan Road offers environmental-friendliness in terms of the design, layout and architecture. It has a highly green roof, and a courtyard and façade covered with glasses that make use of natural daylight and minimise overall energy consumption. In addition, several energy-saving systems have been installed inside the building. For example, the entire building has adopted an advanced energy management system, a highly efficient power generator and an upgraded power supply system. There is also greening at the surrounding leisure areas that contributes to the green environment.

Solar Power Supply

A photovoltaic solar panel system has been installed at the rooftop of Administration Building to supplement the power supply for the building.

Solar Water Heating System

The evacuated tube solar collector installed on the rooftop of the Administration Buidling can absorb solar radiation and transfer it to heat energy, in order to heat the water both directly and indirectly. The produced hot water will be stored in the water tank for future use.

Rainwater Recycling System

Meanwhile, there is a rainwater recycling system in the Administration Building, which will collect rainwater and store it into the processing system for future irrigation purpose.

LED Road Lighting along the Viaducts

There are approximately 620 nos. of LED road lighting in total along HYWH. Compared with the traditional high pressure sodium lamps, LED road lightingis better in terms of energy conservation, colour saturation and reliability.

Compensatory Planting

In order to maintain a balance between development and conservation, 18.6 hectares of compensatory planting area was set up at the hills over Cheung Shan Tunnel to compensate for the removed trees due to the construction of HYWH. As the compensatory planting area has a rough surface, project team had to deploy helicopters to transport large amount of seedlings to the area. They also had to inspect regularly to record the growth of the seedlings and carry out maintenance. The entire compensatory planting works is expected to be completed in 2022.

Green Viaducts & Slopes

There are planting works along HYWH, all over viaducts and slopes from Fanling Highway Interchange to Lin Ma Hang Road, Ta Kwu Ling. 34,000 bushes are planted at the two sides of the viaducts. Also, there are 10 cut slopes along the highway, which are not suitable for planting due to the sandy composition.Therefore, project team built slope berm planters to plant bushes and climbing plants to improve the landscape of the area.

Green Viaducts & Slopes

There are planting works along HYWH, all over viaducts and slopes from Fanling Highway Interchange to Lin Ma Hang Road, Ta Kwu Ling. 34,000 bushes are planted at the two sides of the viaducts. Also, there are 10 cut slopes along the highway, which are not suitable for planting due to the sandy composition.Therefore, project team built slope berm planters to plant bushes and climbing plants to improve the landscape of the area.

Wetland Mitigation

In order to offset the impact to the wetland due to the construction works, new wetlands were created along the Ping Yuen River in Ping Yeung. The main source of water of the wetlands is from the river and the rainwater. The growth and distribution of the plants are affected by the terrain, water level and amount of daylight. Therefore, project team has taken these factors into account when planting various types of plants, such as shade-tolerant plants, aquatic plants and xerophilous plants. The original ecological system will be replicated to ensure biodiversity to merge with the surrounding environment, also to attract the animals and insects to hunt for food or to rest, such as dragonflies, amphibians and reptiles. The whole wetland mitigation is expected to be completed in 2020.

Wetland Mitigation

In order to offset the impact to the wetland due to the construction works, new wetlands were created along the Ping Yuen River in Ping Yeung. The main source of water of the wetlands is from the river and the rainwater. The growth and distribution of the plants are affected by the terrain, water level and amount of daylight. Therefore, project team has taken these factors into account when planting various types of plants, such as shade-tolerant plants, aquatic plants and xerophilous plants. The original ecological system will be replicated to ensure biodiversity to merge with the surrounding environment, also to attract the animals and insects to hunt for food or to rest, such as dragonflies, amphibians and reptiles. The whole wetland mitigation is expected to be completed in 2020.