264 Transport
Hom, Southeast Kowloon and Diamond Hill, Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) submitted, in September, a Draft Final Proposal to the Government. The proposal is now under government assessment. Furthermore, in response to the Government's invitation, MTRCL submitted the West Hong Kong Island Line and South Hong Kong Island Line Preliminary Project Proposal in March for the Government's assessment.
During the year, several major road projects began, including improvements to Castle Peak Road between Ka Loon Tsuen and Siu Lam, to Tung Chung Road between Lung Tseng Tau and Cheung Sha, and construction of Stonecutters Bridge on Route 8. There has also been significant development in the planning of a road link between Hong Kong and Pearl River West. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Advance Work Coordination Group, set up by the governments of Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao, has established a project office in Guangzhou and has commissioned a feasibility study on the bridge.
In traffic management, a comprehensive Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Strategy, which sets out a plan for the deployment of advanced information and telecommunication technologies to enhance the safety, efficiency, reliability, and user and environmental friendliness of the transport system in Hong Kong, was finalised in 2001. The ITS Strategy features two core projects the Transport Information System under development and the Journey Time Indication System, which has been put into operation.
Administrative Framework
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The Environment, Transport and Works Bureau of the Government Secretariat, headed by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, is responsible for, among other matters, the overall policy formulation, direction and coordination of land transport and ferry services. The Secretary is assisted by the Transport Advisory Committee, which advises the Chief Executive in Council on major transport policies and issues. The committee has 18 appointed members, including the chairman and three government officials. A Transport Complaints Unit is established under the committee. In 2004, this unit received 16 299 complaints and suggestions on traffic and transport matters. On local transport matters, the Government is advised by the District Councils and their traffic and transport committees.
The Environment, Transport and Works Bureau is supported by the Transport Department and the Highways Department. The Transport Department is headed by the Commissioner for Transport. The Highways Department is headed by the Director of Highways. The Transport Department is the authority for administering the Road Traffic Ordinance and legislation regulating public transport operations. Its responsibilities cover transport planning, road traffic and tunnel management, car parks and metered parking spaces, regulation of roads, railways and waterborne public transport, licensing of drivers and registration, licensing and inspection of vehicles. The Highways Department is responsible for the overall design and construction of highways, and their repair and maintenance. The department also