the final detailed design and contract documents for the first four stages in accordance with an agreed programme. Good progress was maintained on the soils investigations with 150 boreholes completed and contract documents finalized for a further 900 boreholes. Contract documents for four trial tunnels, to be undertaken at Tsim Sha Tsui, Admiralty (the former Naval Dockyard area), Lok Fu and Lai Chi Kok were also prepared. Field work for the large scale survey plans to a metric scale was completed.
10.05 The design of the track alignment, station layouts, rolling stock, train control, telecommunications and power supply and Kowloon Bay Maintenance Depot proceeded broadly in accordance with the agreed programme. The track layout at Mong Kok was revised and two stations, Prince Edward and Argyle, were substituted for Mong Kok Station. The layout of Admiralty Station was amended in conjunction with alterations to the track layout west of the station. A revised design of the ventilation/air conditioning system was commenced.
Co-ordination and Planning
10.06 Throughout the year, all public and private development proposals along the railway routes were examined to ensure that they did not conflict with the construction of the project. A total of 65 private redevelopment proposals were examined and, in nearly all cases, it was possible to preserve the Mass Transit routes by recommending either a suitable redesign of foundations or amendments to the redevelopment plans. In one case, it was recommended that the property be acquired.
10.07 The land required for the construction of the first four stages of the railway was identified and preliminary consideration was given to its acquisition. A Land Acquisition Co-ordinating Committee was formed to resolve the numerous problems that will arise out of obtaining possession of the land required for the construction of the railway. A total of 71 sites have so far been considered by the Committee. The drafting of legislation for the acquisition of land for the project was well advanced.
10.08 A series of meetings was held with representatives of the utility companies and the Consulting Engineers to examine the effect of the construction of the railway on the various utility services and
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