Tolo Highway

Cruising along the Tolo Highway today, it’s hard to imagine the landscape before its existence. This vital artery, officially known as 吐露港公路 Tolo Highway, connects Sha Tin and Tai Po in Hong Kong’s eastern New Territories. It’s a key part of the New Territories Circular Road, a route crucial for navigating this region. The highway’s construction, completed in stages between 1985 and 1987, was a response to the burgeoning development and increasing traffic in the new towns of Tai Po, Fanling, and Yuen Long. Tolo Highway skirts the western edge of Tolo Harbour, hence its name. This strategic roadway has been serving Hong Kong for decades, facilitating travel and commerce. Interestingly, back in 1985, the yet-to-be-commissioned Tolo Highway served as the route for the Walk for Millions charity event. Imagine the crowds traversing this very path before it became a bustling highway! Over the years, the Tolo Highway has undergone significant upgrades. The section between Sha Tin and Tai Po, for example, was widened to a dual four-lane carriageway to accommodate the growing cross-boundary traffic with Mainland China, which saw an annual increase of about 18%. This expansion boosted the highway’s capacity from 4,200 to 5,600 vehicles per hour in each direction. The improvements weren’t just about increasing traffic flow. They also addressed environmental and recreational needs. The bicycle track was widened to six meters, creating a pleasant route for cyclists. A footpath was also added, offering pedestrians scenic views of the waterfront. Furthermore, noise-reflective and noise-absorbent barriers were installed to mitigate traffic noise for nearby residents and future developments. These barriers, in shades of green and blue, blend harmoniously with the surroundings. Even the temporary site hoardings were given an artistic touch. The Tai Po Environmental Association, with the Highways Department’s support, hand-painted over 300 meters of hoarding to commemorate the Millennium Earth Day. So, as you journey along the Tolo Highway, take a moment to appreciate not only its functionality but also its integration with the surrounding environment and the artistic contributions of the local community.