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TRANSPORT
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expanding and improving the transport infrastructure;
• improving the quality and co-ordination of public transport services; and
managing road use to reduce congestion and promote safety.
In pursuing its transport objective of facilitating the mobility of people and goods in Hong Kong, the Government also needs to ensure that this is achieved in an environmentally sustainable manner. This is done by seeking and supporting environmental improvement measures in transport-related areas.
The Third Comprehensive Transport Study (CTS-3) was completed in September. The study adopted a wide range of assumptions taking into account the effects of different growth rates in population, gross domestic product, vehicle fleet size and cross boundary traffic. Its objective is to develop a robust framework in which the Government can develop a balanced transport strategy to facilitate the mobility of people and goods of Hong Kong in an environmentally acceptable manner up to 2016.
Taking into account both existing policy and the CTS-3's findings and recommendations, the Government has formulated a comprehensive Transport Strategy. The objective of this strategy is to maintain a level of mobility for people and goods, reasonable and able to support the economic growth, social and recreational needs of Hong Kong in an environmentally acceptable manner,
The Transport Strategy seeks to achieve the policy objective by:—
⚫ better integration of transport and land use planning;
⚫ better use of railways as the backbone of the passenger transport system;
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better public transport services and facilities;
⚫ better use of advanced technologies in transport management; and
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⚫ better environmental protection.
Transport Infrastructure
Existing Road and Rail Network
At the end of 1999, Hong Kong had 1 885 kilometres of roads and 1 943 highway structures, three immersed-tube cross-harbour tunnels, eight road tunnels through the hills and three bridges built high above sea level. These facilities provide a comprehensive road network for Hong Kong.
Major road projects completed since 1997 include:
Ting Kau Bridge and the Route 3 (Country Park Section): these projects were completed and opened to traffic in May 1998, providing easy access to the North- West New Territories. The strategic expressway system taking in Lantau and the North-West New Territories needs to be carefully managed to ensure smooth traffic flow. The Route 3 (Country Park Section) is managed and operated by a private sector franchisee.
Lantau Link and Tsing Ma Control Area (TMCA): the Lantau Link is a 17- kilometre expressway network comprising the Tsing Kwai Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Cheung Tsing Highway, North-West Tsing Yi Interchange, the two Lantau Link bridges, Ting Kau Bridge and part of the North Lantau Highway. It adopts a
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