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Transport
THE government's transport policy is to keep Hong Kong moving, in pace with the growth of the economy and the demands for travel. This is not an easy task in the densely developed environment of Hong Kong. Economic activity and the rapid increase in international traffic, in both passengers and goods by land, sea and air, do not only place a great strain on Hong Kong's internal transport systems, but also demand a constant updating of the strategy and development programmes in respect of cross-border links, railway extensions and port and airport facilities. Thus the construction of transport infrastructure is a never-ending process.
During the year, the government spent $1.7 billion on building roads and highways, not including the Eastern Harbour Crossing, which is being financed and built by a private consortium. After much preparatory work, negotiations were in progress, at the end of the year, with private interests for a franchise to construct and operate the four-kilometre long Tate's Cairn Tunnel, the longest road tunnel yet planned for Hong Kong. The franchise will be awarded early in 1988, with construction due to start in May or June, and be completed in 1992.
A new container terminal at Kwai Chung (Terminal 6) is under construction and will provide two additional berths for third-generation container vessels. This development is also being undertaken by private investment. Work is also in hand to reclaim part of Hung Hom Bay to provide land for the extension of the railway terminal at Hung Hom, as well as housing and other facilities.
Investment even on this scale is, however, unlikely to meet Hong Kong's transport demands for long. Transport planning is thus an important, and a continuing, activity.
The Second Comprehensive Transport Study, which began in late 1986 and is due to be completed in mid-1988, will provide a transport investment programme for road and rail developments and will set out policy options for tackling Hong Kong's land transport requirements up to the year 2001. It will also provide a computerised transport model, which can be updated to take account of changing conditions, to aid future transport planning. The Port and Airport Development Study, which was started in late 1987, will examine Hong Kong's port and airport requirements into the 21st century and will propose the development strategy to meet these needs.
Administration
The Transport Branch of the Government Secretariat, headed by the Secretary for Transport, is responsible for the overall policy formulation and the direction and co-ordination of all transport matters. In discharging this responsibility, the Secretary for Transport is assisted on major issues by the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC), which advises the Governor in Council on transport policies and major issues. The TAC has