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About 70 per cent of the new town's 518 000 people live in public housing developments, which include public rental estates, home ownership and private sector participation schemes. Construction of housing flats at Fu Tei has been completed. Feasibility studies and detailed design for more housing developments in northern Tuen Mun near the Castle Peak Hospital is under way. The new town's population is forecast to rise to about 625 000 by 2009.
The KCRC West Rail will have two stations in Tuen Mun new town, each with its own public transport interchange facilities. Residential and commercial components are also proposed above the future Tuen Mun Centre Station.
In south-western Tuen Mun, the River Trade Terminal operates as a consolidation point for containers and bulk cargoes shipped between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta ports. The second phase of reclamation for special industrial use commenced in November for completion in 2005. To cater for the increasing traffic demand in association with these developments, construction of a major road, the Foothills Bypass, commenced in September 1998 for completion in mid-2001.
Tai Po
Tai Po has grown from a small market town of 25 000 in 1974 into a new town with a population of 290 000 on about 1 270 hectares of land. The anticipated population on full development is 320 000. The new town is well developed with the major infrastructure in place.
The feasibility study for the Pak Shek Kok development completed in August 1998 identified the development of a Science Park and residential and recreation uses. The advance infrastructural works commenced in October 1999 for completion in end-2001.
Fanling and Sheung Shui
Fanling and Sheung Shui are former traditional market towns which now have a population of over 230 000. The new town's population is expected to reach nearly 260 000 at the end of the decade.
The total development area is about 780 hectares and includes residential, commercial, industrial, social, community and recreational facilities. Plans include environmental improvements in the retail and commercial centres of Shek Wu Hui and Luen Wo Hui. The major industrial area of On Lok Tsuen is under rapid development. New private housing projects have been undertaken and public housing construction continues in the south of the new town.
Protection against flooding is being improved in the area. The construction works for some of the flood control schemes for the River Indus are progressing with completion dates to tie in with the Shenzhen River regulation project so as to relieve the risk of flooding by 2002.
Yuen Long
Yuen Long new town has a current population of about 168 000 and this is expected to grow to around 287 000 on full development of the town. It covers a development of about 1 170 hectares. Development is spreading to the Tuen Mun-Yuen Long Corridor, and the rural area is being rejuvenated and new infrastructure provided.
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