CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION
Chief Engineer:
CHAN Nai-keong, C.Eng., M.I.C.E., A.M.I.T.E.
General
9.32 With continuing expansion of the highway programme and the unlikely prospect of a parallel increase in staff, both professional and technical, in the Highways Office, it is not only necessary to retain consulting engineers to assist in implementing the programme, but their involvement is likely to increase in the next few years. Expenditure on consultants-managed projects is expected to increase from $23 million in 1971-72 to $50 million in 1972-73 and to $100 million in 1973-74.
9.33 At present 6 firms of consulting engineers (3 large overseas firms and 3 local firms) are engaged on 33 projects. During the year, preliminary reports on 20 projects were received and design work on 22 was completed. Construction work on 3 projects was commenced and 8 contracts let.
9.34 The Consultants Management Division also provides overall management for the Tsing Yi Bridge project which is being undertaken by a private consortium under licence granted by Government. 9.35 A schedule showing the highway projects undertaken by consultants is at Appendix Z.
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISIONS
Chief Engineers:
Kwok Wai-kai, B.Sc.(Eng.)(Hons.) C.Eng., M.I.C.E., M.I.H.E., A.M.I.T.E., A.M.B.I.M.
H. C. BEATON, B.Sc.(Glas.) M.Sc., C.Eng., M.I.C.E., A.M.I.H.E. (Acting)
TSANG Nai-lok, B.Sc.(Eng.), C.Eng., M.I.C.E. (Acting)
General
9.36 Following the trend of previous years, there was a high increase of vehicle registration in 1971-72. The number of vehicles registered rose by 20,993, representing a rate of increase of 14.2%. This surpassed last year's figure of 13.8%. Parallel with the increase in vehicle ownership, the problems of traffic congestion in the urban areas and shortage of parking spaces have become more acute.
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