XN000022-1986-06-13 — Page 11

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FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 1986

THE EASTERN BRIDGE AND LINK ROAD ARE IN STAGE ONE WHICH IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN MID-1988. ALSO IN THIS STAGE ARE THE FOUNDATIONS FOR THE WESTERN BRIDGE, A SMALLER BORDER COMPLEX AREA AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS. UNTIL THE SECOND STAGE IS COMPLETED IT IS INTENDED TO USE ONE LANE OF EACH CARRIAGEWAY TO HOLD VEHICLES FOR INSPECTION.

THE SECOND STAGE OF THE PROJECT, TO BE CONSTRUCTED IF THERE IS AN INCREASE IN TRAFFIC, WILL COMPRISE THE SUPERSTRUCTURE FOR THE WESTERN BRIDGE, ADDITIONAL SITE FORMATION FOR THE BORDER CONTROL COMPLEX AREA TO ACCOMMODATE EXPANSION OF FACILITIES, CONSTRUCTION OF TWO VEHICLE HOLDING AREAS AND LANDSCAPING WORK TO MÍNIMISE THE VISUAL IMPACT OF THE ROAD.

THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND STAGES OF THE PROJECT TOTAL AN ESTIMATED $270 MILLION.

THE COST OF ACQUIRING THE LAND IS AN ESTIMATED $120 MILLION.

ANY FUTURE WIDENING OF THE LINK ROAD TO DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WOULD COST EXTRA.

THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY BINNIE AND PARTNERS, WILBUR SMITH AND ASSOCIATES AND HARRIS AND SUTHERLAND (FAR EAST). THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL DIRECT AND CONTROL THE PROJECT.

BILL PROVIDES TWO FORMS OF OATH *****

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A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE NEW MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WITH TWO FORMS OF OATH THE PRESENT OATH OF ALLEGIANCE AND AN ALTERNATIVE WHICH DOES NOT CONTAIN AN OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE QUEEN WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).

+ THE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE AS WIDE A FIELD AS POSSIBLE OF CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,+ A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.

+THE PROPOSAL FOLLOWS LOGICALLY FROM THE INTRODUCTION LAST YEAR OF AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF OATH FOR MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE ALTERNATIVE OATH HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED, AND IN THE EVENT HAS BEEN PREFERRED BY THE LARGE MAJORITY OF THOSE WHO ENTERED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST OCTOBER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ASKED IF THE PROPOSAL IMPLIED THAT NEW APPOINTMENTS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ARE IMMINENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AS AND WHEN THE GOVERNOR MAKES APPOINTMENTS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AN APPROPRIATE ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE.

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