TNAG-0775-FCO40-979-Possible-new-airport-for-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 62

AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

The Consultants are convinced that a new airport for Hong Kong must be programmed, and have recommended that the Government formally recognize the necessity for replacing Kai Tak. The studies pursuant to these investigations have produced generally reliable information, but areas of uncertainty remain. Before a final decision is reached on the timing and nature of a new air transport system, these uncertainties should be resolved to the extent possible. On advice of the Steering Group, the Consultants were directed to devise an implementation program that would defer the final decision to commit extensive resources to a new airport until planning is sufficiently comprehensive. A program has been proposed which identifies many interrelated investigations needed by several departments of Government. Many other studies will suggest themselves to the affected units of Government in the coming year.

The technical aspects of the implementation plan are scheduled (Figure 15), with a final decision period beginning in mid-1976; an 18-month program of technical studies and definitive master planning begins as early as possible. These investigations are designed to develop a reliable base of information on which the decision to commit resources can be based. Because deferring the decision necessarily telescopes the construction activity, the detail developed in this period should be sufficiently definitive to permit proceeding directly into design and preparation of construction documents for critical works.

A number of special studies and the master planning activity are described in the Consultant's final report (Book 9). It is considered essential to verify the conclusions reached in these investigations through additional soils exploration, which should be commenced as soon as possible. Data input from the soils investigation should be made available early in the concurrent Master Planning activity to permit further evaluation of offshore construction methods and costs of construction.

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