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(2) Development of the Infrastructure
(a) New Towns Development
The new towns at Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun, Tai
Po and Fanling and Yuen Long are designed to provide housing for 2.9 mn people complete with employment
opportunities and related infrastructural works and
community services such as schools, hospitals, clinics
and recreational facilities.
(b) Main Infrastructural Works
Highways
To provide a highways network that will permit free
and rapid movement of vehicular traffic, eight main
trunk routes have been identified and a large number of projects have either been started or are being planned
to improve these routes.
Railways
The Kowloon-Canton Railway (shortly to be operated
by an independent public corporation) is currently being modernised. The work includes double-tracking, electrifi-
cation, electronic signalling, provision of new stations
and refurbishment of existing stations.
The Mass Transit Railway (operated by an independent
public corporation) has recently been extended by the opening in May 1982 of a line to Tsuen Wan. Construction
has also started on a line on Hong Kong Island along the North shore which is scheduled for completion in 1985/86. When this is completed the MTR will consist of 39 kilometres
of track and 37 stations.