TNAG-1160-FCO40-1440-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 98

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(2) Development of the Infrastructure

(a) New Towns Development

The new towns at Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun, Tai

Po and Fanling and Yuen Long are designed to provide housing for 2.9 mn people complete with employment

opportunities and related infrastructural works and

community services such as schools, hospitals, clinics

and recreational facilities.

(b) Main Infrastructural Works

Highways

To provide a highways network that will permit free

and rapid movement of vehicular traffic, eight main

trunk routes have been identified and a large number of projects have either been started or are being planned

to improve these routes.

Railways

The Kowloon-Canton Railway (shortly to be operated

by an independent public corporation) is currently being modernised. The work includes double-tracking, electrifi-

cation, electronic signalling, provision of new stations

and refurbishment of existing stations.

The Mass Transit Railway (operated by an independent

public corporation) has recently been extended by the opening in May 1982 of a line to Tsuen Wan. Construction

has also started on a line on Hong Kong Island along the North shore which is scheduled for completion in 1985/86. When this is completed the MTR will consist of 39 kilometres

of track and 37 stations.