The expanded footbridge system will connect Pacific Place to the Government Complex under a new initiative to enhance walkability.
(Graph provided by the HK government)
Admiralty’s footbridge network will see a major expansion following the approval by the Chief Executive in Council to waive the premium payable for the lease modification to construct a footbridge connecting Pacific Place directly to the Central Government Complex and the LegCo Building.
The new footbridge will conjoin the existing walkway system linking up Queensway Plaza and Citic Tower. The application was submitted by Swire Properties and reportedly endorsed by the Land and Development Advisory Committee in April. Swire Properties will bear the construction, management and maintenance responsibilities and related costs of the pedestrian footbridge and provide 24-hour barrier-free and free public access at the future footbridge.
The current administration has put forward a number of measures to enhance the city’s walkability. The 2016 Policy Address announced a pilot facilitation scheme to waive the land premium for lease modification to construct footbridges or subways connecting private developments in Kowloon East. Applications in other districts are considered on a case-by-case basis.
The government has previously rolled out a Universal Accessibility Programme involving more than 200 projects to make public walkways barrier-free and more inclusive. Each of the District Councils has also been invited to nominate from public proposals received three walkways in its district for priority implementation of lift retrofitting works for grade-separated walkways.
A spokesperson for the Development Bureau said that the proposed footbridge in Admiralty should be able to provide a solution to the lack of an at-grade connection; is likely to be used by a substantial amount of daily commuters including transit passengers from the nearby Admiralty MTR Station; and should enhance the established elevated pedestrian network in the area.
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