COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT
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The largest single event of the project during 1980, was the breakthrough on April 23 in the new double-bore Beacon Hill Tunnel, which is scheduled for completion in April, 1981.
In tandem with double-tracking, a highly sophisticated signalling system and a modern telecommunications network will be installed. The signalling system will be centrally- controlled from the Kowloon terminus.
Safety along the electrified railway will be improved by fencing-in the entire line; work on this has already started and will be completed before the opening of the high-frequency services in 1982. In addition, subways and footbridges will be provided at frequent intervals. Under the modernisation programme, all of the existing stations are to be rebuilt to cater for the anticipated large numbers of passengers who will be carried (an estimated 250,000 people each day by the mid-1980s, rising to 500,000 a day by 1990). Work has already started on a new station at Kowloon Tong, which will have a three-level interchange with the Mass Transit Railway, and rebuilding of the Sha Tin and Mong Kok stations is moving ahead for completion by 1982. Remodelling and replacement of the other stations will be phased in with the opening of the new electrified service.
The first stage of electrification between Kowloon and Sha Tin is expected to be commis- sioned in the first half of 1982 with full electrification of the line up to Lo Wu by the end of 1982.
Roads
Construction of highways proceeded satisfactorily in 1980, with $598.1 million being spent on major projects and $77.6 million on improvements and maintenance. The total length of roads maintained by the government now stands at 1,161.3 kilometres, of which 347.8 kilometres are on Hong Kong Island, 346.2 kilometres in Kowloon and 467.3 kilometres in the New Territories.
On Hong Kong Island, major highway projects started during 1980 included the con- struction of a service road on the Aberdeen Reclamation near the Wholesale Fish Market and construction of new roads and drains at Mount Butler. Work continued on the im- provement of Victoria Road near Bisney Road. Other major highways projects in progress included the Wong Nai Chung Gap Road/Stubbs Road flyover, the Hill Road flyover, and several ancillary contracts for the construction of the North Point section of the Hong Kong Island Eastern Corridor. By the end of the year, work on the main contract of this important project was about to start. Interim improvement work to Island Road from Wong Chuk Hang to Deep Water Bay was also commenced, as was work on bus and tram priority lanes from Shau Kei Wan to Causeway Bay.
Works completed during 1980 included the transport interchange system in the Mass Transit Railway's Admiralty Station area; the reinstatement of Pedder Street, Des Voeux Road and Chater Road in the Central District, following the construction of the railway; and an extension to the North Point Bus Terminus. The covered footbridge system along Connaught Road in Central District was also completed, providing a safe, fast and direct link between the hub of the business area and various public transport terminals. This footbridge system is the longest in Hong Kong and is also the first of its type to be provided with escalators. The Ap Lei Chau Bridge was opened early in 1980, providing the first road link with Ap Lei Chau Island.
In Kowloon, work on the permanent reinstatement of roads following the completion of the first section of the Mass Transit Railway was well in hand, and a new public bus terminus serving the Mass Transit Railway's Kwun Tong Station was completed. Work was started