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FOCUSE
Transport
A WELL-RUN internal transport system is essential to sustain Hong Kong's economic activity by moving people and goods quickly and efficiently. In 1985, there were some 301 000 vehicles of all descriptions in the territory and the daily average of passenger trips on public transport was 9.2 million.
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Careful co-ordination and management are necessary to ensure that the road network is improved and public transport services, especially off-road modes, are expanded to meet demand. Optimum use of Hong Kong's limited road capacity is also essential. The Transport Branch and the Lands and Works Branch of the Government Secretariat are charged with this responsibility, with the Highways Office of the Engineering Development Department, the Transport Department, the Traffic Branch of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force and the individual transport operators playing their part at the operational level.
The year saw continued progress on a number of projects to enhance Hong Kong's internal transport system. On July 25, the second section of the Island Eastern Corridor was opened between Tai Koo Shing and Shau Kei Wan, enabling a journey to be made between Central District and Shau Kei Wan in only 11 minutes. This has significantly helped ease traffic congestion in Shau Kei Wan Road and King's Road.
The construction of other major road networks, such as the New Territories Trunk Road system, continued. Major sections of these road networks were opened during the year. These include the Sha Tin-Fanling section of the New Territories Trunk Road (part of which is called the Tolo Highway) which was opened in stages in June and September. Design of the Route 5 (Sha Tin to Tsuen Wan) tunnel was completed and the project was put out to tender. The design of the principal access road - a tunnel to Junk Bay was substantially complete. Feasibility studies for a second road link between Sha Tin and East Kowloon, the Tate's Cairn Tunnel, were to start in early 1986.
In February, a second bridge was opened at Man Kam To and in March new control facilities were opened at Sha Tau Kok. These facilities include 22 immigration booths (16 for passengers and six for vehicles), six customs and excise booths, and a vehicle holding area with 100 car spaces. Also, work started on a major new road link with China at Lok Ma Chau and on improvements to the access roads to Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok. All this will considerably facilitate cross-border traffic.
On May 31, the Mass Transit Railway Island Line was officially opened, linking Central District with Chai Wan and enabling a journey to be made between these two points in less than 30 minutes.
The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation is planning the 34-kilometre Light Rail Transit (LRT) System in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long, which is scheduled to become operational in mid-1988 and will provide the core transport system in the northwest New Territories. The contract for Phase 1 of the project was let in August. This consists of 22.5