ENG-1968 — Page 270

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COMMUNICATIONS

As part of a programme to improve the major traffic link between Tsim Sha Tsui and the eastern New Territories via Lion Rock Tunnel, work started on the construction of flyovers at the Chatham Road/Gascoigne Road and Pui Ching Road/Fat Kwong Street intersections, together with reconstruction works in Waterloo Road.

Extensive road reconstruction took place throughout Kowloon to remedy the continuing deterioration of roads which were built shortly after the war and were not intended to carry the heavy traffic loads now common in the urban areas. Several bus termini were completed to meet the needs of the ever-growing number of bus routes.

In the New Territories, work was started on improvements to some three miles of roadway between Lam Tei and Ping Shan to bring it up to dual-carriageway standards. Extension of Tai Mei Tuk Road for a distance of about two miles to Chung Mei was almost completed, whilst the construction of Junk Bay Road, Stage I, from Lei Yue Mun Road to Sau Mau Ping continued.

A report prepared by consulting engineers (Messrs Scott, Wilson, Kirkpatrick and Partners) on the improvement of the Tsuen Wan- Castle Peak Road to dual carriageway standards was received and as a result this scheme was re-examined with a view to staged implementation by PWD staff. Investigations into the most suitable alignment for a by-pass round Tsuen Wan were completed and a report prepared.

The application of traffic management techniques continued, in an endeavour to make the most of the existing road network. Very good progress was made in the installation of traffic light signals to control traffic at intersections, a total of 153 sets being in use by the end of 1968.

The Traffic and Transport Survey Unit carried out transporta- tion surveys for various government departments. These included studies of bus operating characteristics, the level of service provided by taxis, the use of 'water-taxis' in the harbour and the parking conditions prevailing in various types of housing estate. Investi- gations were also made into the benefits resulting from the installa- tion of linked signals in Nathan Road and changes in travel habits due to the existence of the Lion Rock Tunnel route, opened in November 1967.

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