Tangshui Road Flyover｜Standing at North Point for 37 years, it has been demolished for nearly three years and the neighborhood has been abandoned: alleviating hygiene problems

For 37 years, the Tangshui Road Flyover stood tall in the bustling neighborhood of North Point in Hong Kong. It was a familiar sight for residents and visitors alike, serving as a major transportation link between the eastern and western parts of the city. However, in 2017, this iconic structure was demolished to make way for a new road network. Three years on, the neighborhood has been left abandoned and residents are still grappling with the aftermath of its demolition.

The Tangshui Road Flyover was built in 1980 as part of a major infrastructure project to improve traffic flow in Hong Kong. It spanned across six lanes and connected Kings Road in North Point to Island Eastern Corridor, providing a direct route for vehicles traveling between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The flyover quickly became an integral part of the neighborhoods landscape and played a crucial role in easing traffic congestion.

However, as Hong Kong continued to develop and expand its road network, it became clear that the Tangshui Road Flyover was no longer sufficient to meet the growing demands of the city. In 2017, after years of planning and discussions with local residents, the decision was made to demolish the flyover and replace it with an underground tunnel system.

The demolition process was not without controversy. Many residents were concerned about the impact it would have on their daily lives and businesses. The flyover had become an important landmark for local businesses who relied on passing traffic for customers. With its removal, they feared a decline in footfall and revenue.

Despite these concerns, demolition work began in late 2017 and was completed within a few months. The once busy flyover now lay in ruins, leaving behind an empty space in the neighborhood. The demolition also brought about a new set of challenges for the residents of North Point.

One of the main issues that arose after the flyovers demolition was the problem of hygiene. With the flyover gone, the area underneath it was exposed to sunlight and rain, leading to an accumulation of garbage and debris. The lack of proper maintenance and cleaning by the government only exacerbated this issue, causing a foul smell and attracting pests such as rats and cockroaches.

The abandoned space also became a hotspot for illegal dumping, with people using it as a convenient spot to dispose of their waste. This not only added to the unsanitary conditions but also posed a threat to public health and safety.

The residents of North Point were left frustrated and disappointed with the state of their neighborhood. They had lost an important landmark and were now dealing with hygiene problems that they had never faced before. Many felt that their concerns had been ignored during the planning process for the flyovers demolition.

However, in recent months, there have been efforts to address these issues and improve the living conditions in North Point. The government has implemented regular cleaning schedules for the area under the former flyover, helping to alleviate some of the hygiene problems. They have also installed CCTV cameras to deter illegal dumping and have increased patrols in the area.

In addition, plans are underway to revitalize the abandoned space left by the flyovers demolition. The government has proposed building a new park in its place, providing much-needed green space for residents in this densely populated neighborhood. This project is still in its early stages, but it has given hope to many residents who have longed for a more livable environment.

Despite these efforts, some residents still feel that more could be done to improve their neighborhood post-flyover demolition. They believe that there should have been better planning and consideration for their needs during this process.

In conclusion, while it has been nearly three years since the Tangshui Road Flyover was demolished, the effects of its removal are still being felt in the neighborhood of North Point. The once bustling area has been left abandoned and residents have had to deal with hygiene problems that were not present before. However, with ongoing efforts to address these issues and plans for a new park, there is hope that North Point will once again thrive and become a more livable community for its residents.