Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), driven by its dedication to Building Homes with Heart, is committed to improving the community environment alongside its quality property developments. The Sai Sha infrastructure enhancement project, undertaken in tandem with the Sai Sha mega development, is SHKP’s largest of its kind in recent years. It includes widening a part of Sai Sha Road, improving the drainage and sewerage systems, and building a community facility block, all of which would provide for a comprehensive improvement to the Sai Sha community. 

“This multi-billion-dollar infrastructure enhancement project, completed after six years of dedicated work, has brought immediate benefits to nearly 10,000 residents of Shap Sz Heung,” said Sunny Cheung, SHKP Senior Project Manager (Project Management Department). “It’s not just about the future residents of our Sai Sha mega residential development; this project is designed to benefit the entire community. It also provides convenient access to GO PARK Sai Sha, a new sports, entertainment, dining, and leisure landmark soon to commence trial operations.”

The project includes the following new infrastructure and facilities:

1. Widening about 1.5 kilometres of Sai Sha Road and enhancing transport, cycling and pedestrian facilities

Grant Yuen, SHKP Senior Project Manager (Project Management Department), said that previously Sai Sha Road, connecting Sai Sha to the Ma On Shan district, often suffered from traffic congestion as it was only a single two-way carriageway  (one lane in each direction). SHKP widened approximately 1.5 kilometres of the road to provide a dual two-way carriageway (two lanes in each direction), doubling its capacity to accommodate the increased traffic that will be generated by the Sai Sha development.  

The pedestrian facilities were also enhanced, with the construction of three footbridges equipped with lifts and wider pavements to avoid vehicle-pedestrian conflicts. Additional cycle tracks have been built, connecting to the existing network in Ma On Shan, which extends all the way to Sheung Shui and New Territories West.

Furthermore, SHKP has re-provisioned a number of public transport facilities, including a bus terminus, a minibus terminus, a taxi stand, a public car park, and bus stops. The Group also actively coordinated with the government to introduce new bus routes to enhance connectivity to the East Rail Line, the Tuen Ma Line, and the urban area. In addition, SHKP has enhanced road safety and efficiency by adding three roundabouts, traffic signs, and streetlights.

2. Improving the drainage and sewerage systems 

Flooding during rainstorms used to be a common occurrence in Sai Sha due to lack of efficient drainage and modern sewage facilities in the surrounding villages. To tackle these issues, SHKP constructed a 2.1-kilometre drain and a direct 3.9-kilometre sewer connected to the Ma On Shan system. Furthermore, considering the villagers’ needs, SHKP made provisions for them to easily connect their individual sewage systems to this main sewer. These infrastructure enhancements have significantly enhanced the quality of life for the villagers.

3. Prioritizing greening and environmental protection

To minimize the impact of traffic noise on nearby residents, noise barriers were installed and the roads were lined with trees or other vegetation. SHKP also undertook the conservation and transplantation of two valuable, conjoined ficus microcarpa (Chinese banyan) trees, weighing a total of 180 tonnes with their root ball. The project team was the first in Hong Kong to use a double self-propelled modular transporter to move the giant twin trees 100 metres from their original site.

SHKP has installed a solar energy system at the construction site office, a first in Hong Kong. Additionally, the project has deployed electric construction equipment, contributing to Hong Kong's efforts to reduce carbon emissions and become a greener city.

4. Building a community facility block

SHKP is building a comprehensive four-storey community facility block, spanning 150,000 square feet. The block will feature a two-storey carpark and a range of social welfare facilities, including a residential care home, a day care centre for the elderly, a district support centre for people with disabilities, and a special child-care centre. The entire block is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025, after which the facilities will be handed over to the government.