MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1982
5.
RUSH TO GET ABERDEEN TUNNEL READY
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CONTRACTORS ARE WORKING AGAINST TIME IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL READY FOR THE PARTIAL OPENING ON FRIDAY (MARCH 12).
THEY CONTINUED TO WORK OVER THE WEEKEND, PUTTING FINISHING TOUCHES TO THE TUNNEL WHICH PROVIDES AN IMPORTANT LINK BETWEEN THE SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN PARTS OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE SAID THAT LIGHTING HAD BEEN SATISFACTORILY INSTALLED AND TESTED.
THE RUNNING-IN OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IS BEING CARRIED OUT WHILE THE TESTING OF THE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM HAS YET TO BE COMPLETED.
+THE TUNNEL WILL ONLY BE OPENED WHEN THE REQUIRED SAFETY STANDARDS ARE MET, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+AS THE SITUATION STANDS, THERE IS A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE THAT ONE TUBE CAN BE OPENED ON FRIDAY AS WE ORIGINALLY AIMED. HOWEVER A FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.+
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS, PARTICULARLY IN THE HAPPY VALLEY AREA, WILL BE PUT INTO EFFECT WITH THE PARTIAL OPENING OF THE TUNNEL.
IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME FOR THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO TTLE, AND DURING THE FIRST FEW DAYS AFTER THE OPENING EXTRA POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE ON DUTY.
THE TWIN-TUBE ABERDEEN TUNNEL IS EXPECTED TO BE FULLY IN USE IN MAY OR JUNE.
UNDER THE PROVISIONAL ARRANGEMENT, SIX BUS SERVICES, INCLUDING THREE NEW ROUTES, AND TWO MAXICAB SERVICES, WILL BE USING THE TUNNEL.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL LATER BE GIVEN ON ALL THE DETAILED TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AND REVISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
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