Appendix D-Contd.
44 Mail traffic handled by the Post Office increased by 9.4% in 1986 over the previous year. Speedpost items increased by 27.6%. Traffic is expected to continue to grow in 1987. In line with changes in population distribution, ten new post offices will be opened in 1987–88.
(D) Community Services
45
Community Services comprise transport facilities, land and civil engineering, water supply etc. Expenditure in 1987-88 is forecast to be $12,183 million compared with $11,245 million in 1986–87—an increase of 8.3%.
(D)(1) Transport
46 The share of resources allocated to this programme has fallen steadily during the decade ending 1986–87 as a number of very major schemes have been completed, or are nearing completion, including many KCR related works. In addition, the operation of the KCR has been transferred to the private sector.
47 Nevertheless, significant works of development and improvement continue. On Hong Kong Island, major works on 'Upgrading and dualling of Connaught Road and ancillary works' ($445 million) started in September 1986 and are expected to be completed by the end of 1989. Good progress was made on the construction of the 'Access to the Wan Chai reclamation-grade separated access facilities' ($118 million). These works are expected to be completed by the end of 1987. Significant projects to start in 1987-88 include 'Hong Kong Island Eastern Corridor stage III-Shau Kei Wan to Pak Chai Wan' ($150 million) and the dualling of Connaught Road West ($50 million) which forms part of the upgraded Connaught Road scheme.
48 In Kowloon, works on 'Princess Margaret Road flyover improvement' ($85 million) started in July 1986 and foundation works are already well advanced. Good progress has also been made on the construction of the 'Elevated road-Cheung Sha Wan Road to Boundary Street' ($58 million) and the 'West Kowloon Corridor, Cheung Sha Wan section and Tung Chau Street-Tong Mei Road ramp' ($250 million). A feasibility study of the second road tunnel link between Sha Tin and East Kowloon-Tate's Cairn Tunnel- was completed in December 1986 and detailed design is in progress. Significant projects to start in 1987-88 include 'Gascoigne Road and Chatham Road improvements' ($90 million) and 'Kwun Tong by-pass, phase I' ($390 million).
49 In the New Territories, works on ‘Route 5—Sha Tin to Tsuen Wan, Shing Mun section' ($745 million) started in April 1986 and are expected to be completed in late 1989. The construction of Lam Kam Road flyover ($70 million) also started in July 1986. The construction of 'New Territories Circular Road improvements, Au Tau to Fan Kam Road phase I-Pak Shek Au to Fan Kam Road' ($168 million) is progressing very well and is expected to be completed in March 1987. Works on phase II of the New Territories Circular Road from Mai Po to Pak Shek Au ($110 million) and ‘Vehicular border link at Lok Ma Chau, stage I' ($160 million) are well underway and are expected to be completed by late 1988. The design of phase III of the New Territories Circular Road between Fairview Park and Mai Po ($198 million) was completed and tenders will be called in early 1987. Construction of phase IV between Fairview Park and Au Tau ($180 million) will start in late 1987. ‘Formation of a light rail transit reserve in the Tuen Mun Yuen Long corridor and associated structures, stage I' ($321 million) is well underway and work has also started on 'Junk Bay development-principal access road' ($295 million). Good progress is being maintained on 'Tsing Yi North Bridge and approaches' ($263 million) with the main spans across the Rambler Channel having been connected. Major projects due to start in 1987-88 include 'Road T6 and interchanges-Sha Tin New Town' ($185 million) and 'Route 5-section between Wo Yi Hop and Shek Wai Kok' ($215 million).
(D)(2) Land and Civil Engineering
50 Since activity carried out under this programme is primarily of a capital nature, it is inherently subject to expenditure fluctuation year on year. However, it has averaged around 6.4% per annum of Government's total spending in 1982-83 to 1986-87.
51 The start of the drainage and erosion protection project ‘Improvement to Shenzhen River bends at Lok Ma Chau and Liu Pok' has been deferred to 1987-88 because of the complex negotiations with the Shenzhen Authorities on such matters as planning, design, land, management and security. The costs of these works will be shared equally between the Hong Kong Government and the Shenzhen Authorities. Hong Kong's share is estimated to be $50 million.
52 With respect to land development projects in the urban areas, ‘Ap Lei Chau East reclamation' ($13 million), 'Aberdeen reclamation, stage II-phase 2B' ($42 million), ‘Western reclamation, stage II' ($50 million), ‘Aberdeen reclamation, stage II-phase 2C' ($14 million) and 'Siu Sai Wan development-works, stage I' ($31 million) were completed in 1986-87. Progress on 'Diamond Hill development-works, stage I ($100 million) and ‘Hung Hom Bay reclamation, phase I dredging and reclamation' ($26 million) has been satisfactory and they are expected to be completed in November 1988 and July 1988 respectively. Two significant projects planned to start in 1987-88 are 'Kwai Chung container port area development, stage II—back up area for container terminal No. 6' ($60 million) and 'Siu Sai Wan development-works, stage II' ($110 million).
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