XN000022-1995-03-03 — Page 3

-

1.

-

Govt to spend $30 billion on roads

The Government will be spending $30 billion on new roads over the next five years, the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, said this (Friday) afternoon.

Speaking at a media session to elaborate on the 1995-96 Budget with respect to transport, Mr Barma said this was on top of the $14 billion which the private sector would be investing in the Western Harbour Crossing for completion in 1997, and the Country Park Section of Route Three for completion in 1998.

He said the Government would soon be asking the Finance Committee to approve the funding, estimated at just over $1 billion, for building a duplicate Tsing Yi south bridge to relieve the serious traffic congestion experienced by Tsing Yi residents.

He added that in 1995-96, the Government would also employ consultants to conduct feasibility studies on electronic road pricing and the provision of traffic control and surveillance facilities for the strategic road network; and to conduct the Third Comprehensive Transport Study.

Mr Barma said there would be a five per cent increase in real terms in the recurrent public expenditure on transport in 1995-96.

He said the 1995-96 Draft Estimates included expenditure on the following non-ACP projects:

Lung Cheung Road and Ching Cheung Road Improvements ($245 million);

Tuen Mun Road Improvements ($250 million);

Ting Kau Bridge and Viaduct ($250 million);

and the following major new projects which are planned to start in 1995-96:

Hung Hom Bypass and Princess Margaret Road Link ($881 million);

Reconstruction of major roads in the territory, 1995-96 programme ($346 million);