ENG-1978 — Page 224

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COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT

the Exclusive Public Transport Right of Way in Tuen Muen New Town in the New Territories.

Looking into the future, the transport challenges that Hong Kong is likely to face include the planning of a road and transport infrastructure for the proposed develop- ment of North Lantau Island and examination of possible additional cross-harbour facilities.

Roads

The construction of highways proceeded satisfactorily in 1978, with some $358.2 million being spent on major highway projects and $61.4 million on improvements and maintenance. The total length of roads maintained by the Public Works Depart- ment now amounts to 1,110 kilometres, of which 344 kilometres are on Hong Kong Island, 335 kilometres in Kowloon and 431 kilometres in the New Territories.

On Hong Kong Island, good progress was made on the construction of the Ap Lei Chau Bridge and the southern approach road linking Aberdeen to the island of Ap Lei Chau. Work commenced on the Wong Chuk Hang Interchange which will link the south portal of the Aberdeen Tunnel with the road network on the south side of the island. To improve the road link between Aberdeen and Western District, work continued on the construction of the road through Aberdeen by- passing Shek Pai Wan Road as far as the Wholesale Fish Market, the widening of Pok Fu Lam Road between Queen Mary Hospital and Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road and on the flyover connecting Pok Fu Lam Road and Des Voeux Road West. Garden Road Roundabout and Queensway Flyover were both completed during the year, while construction of the elevated roads and flyovers at the Robinson Road-Old Peak Road-Glenealy junctions was progressing well. These works will greatly improve the flow of traffic from the Mid-levels to Central District.

Construction commenced on a footbridge system along Connaught Road, Central District, and this will provide better pedestrian facilities in the central business area. Good progress continued on the Canal Road Flyover linking the Aberdeen Tunnel to the Cross Harbour Tunnel and other major traffic arteries. Construction of a new North Point Vehicular Ferry Pier to replace the existing pier has started. This work forms part of Stage I of the Hong Kong Island Eastern Corridor, the design of which is well advanced. The corridor, which will be built in four sections as an elevated road around the edge of Victoria Harbour, will provide a direct link between Causeway Bay and Shau Kei Wan. The whole project is scheduled for completion in 1985. The construction of the Wong Nai Chung Gap Road/Stubbs Road Flyover commenced, while a start was made on the detailed design of the Lau Sin Street Flyover in Causeway Bay.

In Kowloon, work continued on the two primary distributor roads on either side of the Kowloon peninsula. The West Kowloon Corridor, which consists of a con- tinuous elevated road, will be completed in four stages; the first stage has already been completed and work is progressing on the second stage. The corridor will extend from Yau Ma Tei to Lai Chi Kok and is programmed for completion in 1984. Work was well advanced on the East Kowloon Way, which forms part of the major traffic route between the Cross Harbour Tunnel and Kwun Tong. It comprises an elevated road from Hung Hom to the west portal of the Airport Tunnel with