TRANSPORT
construction and maintenance. There are eight major road tunnels, over 840 flyovers and bridges, 471 footbridges and 279 subways to assist the mobility of vehicles and people.
To cope with increasing transport demands, the Highways Department continued to implement an extensive road construction programme. About 60 road projects are under construction and another 30 projects are being planned.
The department's budget for the financial year ending March 1995 totals $9,262 million. Of this, $8,693 million is for major highway construction, and $569 million for road and public lighting maintenance work.
Strategic Road Network
The spine of the strategic road network is Route 1, which runs from Aberdeen on the southern shore of Hong Kong Island, and cuts through Kowloon peninsula and the New Territories, to the Lok Ma Chau border crossing point.
On Hong Kong Island, Route 8 runs along the northern shore from the Cross Harbour Tunnel, via the Island Eastern Corridor, to Shau Kei Wan and Chai Wan in the east. Route 7 stretches westwards from the Cross Harbour Tunnel along the northern shore, via Gloucester Road, Harcourt Road and Connaught Road, to Hill Road at Kennedy Town.
On the mainland, Route 2 runs from the Kowloon Bay Reclamation, through the Airport Tunnel, via the East and West Kowloon Corridors, Tsuen Wan Road, Tuen Mun Road and Yuen Long Northern Bypass, to the junction of Castle Peak Road and Lok Ma Chau Border Link Road: Route 4 runs along the base of the foothills separating Kowloon from the New Territories, and connects Lai Chi Kok with Kwun Tong, and with Tseung Kwan O through the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel. Route 5, another strategic road, is a seven-kilometre, two-way trunk road connecting Sha Tin with Tsuen Wan, via the Shing Mun Tunnels. It forms part of the New Territories Circular Road System.
Route 6 covers the Eastern Harbour Crossing, Kwun Tong Bypass, Tate's Cairn Tunnel and the approach road linking Tate's Cairn Tunnel to the Tolo Highway.
Improvements to Major Road Networks
The Yuen Long Southern Bypass, construction of which started in early 1992, opened to traffic in late 1994.
The Second Ap Lei Chau Bridge was completed in mid-1994, to provide a second link between Ap Lei Chau Island and Hong Kong Island.
To improve traffic in the Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei Districts, the construction of the Yau Ma Tei section of the West Kowloon Corridor commenced in phases from mid-1992. Phase I works, involving an extension along Ferry Street - including the construction of a 700- metre flyover along Tong Mi Road and Ferry Street will be completed in early 1996. Phase II works, involving the associated footbridge and subway system, will be completed in mid-1997.
The Hillside Escalator Link provides a direct and convenient mechanised walkway for commuters between Central District and the Mid-Levels. Opened in late 1993, the system comprises 20 escalators and three travelators, and measures 800 metres in length.
To improve cross-border traffic and access to the northwestern New Territories, the construction of the Country Park Section of Route 3 will start in early 1995, for completion in late 1998. It will be a dual, three-lane carriageway, connecting Ting Kau with Yuen Long.
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