164
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
whilst water-bound macadam on hardcore, with surface dressing or a bitumen macadam wearing coat, is used for side roads, and also for rural roads subject to light traffic.
Experiments are in hand for the production of a more durable wearing surface for main roads, since open textured bitumen macadam has a short life under the weight of city traffic.
The reconstruction and general maintenance of roads, including the re-instatement of trenches opened for utility services, is carried out under government contract with local firms. Minor maintenance, including patching and surface dressing with recently-acquired mechanical equip- ment, is carried out by the Public Works Department, by direct labour.
Traffic congestion in many areas has required increased use of traffic islands and other aids to canalize traffic and reduce accidents.
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In conjunction with the laying of a trunk main from Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, major reconstruction of Castle Peak Road, between 5 and 9 milestones, is proceeding. In addition to a number of large culverts, this work includes a reinforced concrete bridge at Tsun Wan, two 51-ft. spans with an overall width of 80 ft. Traffic will be carried by two carriageways, each 22 ft. wide, separated by a central 6-ft. island and two 14-ft. footpaths.
Two Government quarries are in operation, one in Kowloon and one in Hong Kong, with a combined annual production of 200,000 tons of crushed stone and 56,000 tons of bitumen macadam. Both plants are operated by the Public Works Department by direct labour, and supply the bulk of the Government's requirements for concrete aggregate and road stone. Work was completed on the access road and site formation for a new quarry on Mount Butler. This will replace that at Tsat Tze Mui which, being situated in what is now a developed area, has given rise to public complaint, due to noise and dust, and is in any case nearing the end of its useful life.
The provision and improvement of street lighting in unlit, or insufficiently lit, streets proceeded. Progress was also made in the lighting of Resettlement Areas, where trials were carried out to determine suitable methods of
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