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The past 2 to 3 years have seen the completion of major projects. The New Territories Circular Road has been widened and improved thus providing for better access from the east. The Tuen Mun/Yuen Long Eastern Corridor was opened in 1993, and the Yuen Long Southern Bypass in November 1994. Other measures such as bus only lanes, the improvement of the Au Tau Roundabout and the provision of more ferry services are also in hand. In addition, certain sections of Castle Peak Road are being widened and, in this respect, I can assure Honourable Members that thorough traffic impact assessments will be conducted in respect of proposals for development projects. Looking further ahead Route 3 is now under construction and we are pursuing the implementation of the Western Corridor Railway. There are also plans to provide additional lanes along Tolo Highway - we expect work to commence towards the end of 1998.
The closure of Tuen Mun Road resulted in a horrendous nightmare. Let me again, on behalf of the Administration, apologise for the considerable inconvenience and frustration that this caused to the tens of thousands of residents in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. The Government firmly believes that, given the advice of experts that there was a real danger of landslips, we had no choice but to close the highway and that it was the correct decision. There was no question of subjecting commuters to any risk of injury or fatality. We did our level best to alleviate transport problems through special traffic arrangements by providing additional bus and ferry services. There are of course lessons to be learnt and we shall certainly draw on the experience
to improve contingency arrangements. We are now considering how best to complete the climbing lanes along Tuen Mun Road with minimal disruption to traffic. The District Boards concerned and the LegCo Transport Panel will be fully briefed and consulted before work proceeds.
Railways
I now turn to Railways. Many Members have urged us to accelerate the completion of the three top priority projects identified in the Railway Development Strategy. As Honourable Members know the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation have been invited to submit detailed proposals for the construction of the Western Corridor Railway and the extension to Tseung Kwan O respectively. As for the third priority, we have just engaged consultants to advise on an intermediate capacity system from Ma On Shan to Tai Wai, coupled with the loop from Hunghom to Tsimshatsui.