ENG-1979 — Page 215

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COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT

some projects were rephased. A total of $486.4 million was spent on highway projects in 1979 and $72.6 million was spent on improvements and maintenance.

The total length of roads in Hong Kong maintained by the government at the end of 1979 was 1,146.7 kilometres, of which 344.8 kilometres were on Hong Kong Island, 340.7 kilometres were in Kowloon and 461.2 kilometres were in the New Territories.

On Hong Kong Island, a number of major projects were completed. The Ap Lei Chau Bridge and its southern approach road to link the island of Ap Lei Chau to Aberdeen were completed. Works on the road through Aberdeen, from Shek Pai Wan Road to the wholesale fish market, were finished and Pok Fu Lam Road, between Mount Davis Road and Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road, was widened to four lanes. The flyovers at Robinson Road/Old Peak Road junction and Robinson Road/Glenealy junction opened to traffic at the end of the year. The completion of these road works is expected to improve the traffic flow in the Mid-levels and to reduce the travelling time between Aberdeen and Central District.

Good progress was maintained on several important road projects. Work proceeded on the Wong Nai Chung Gap Road/Stubbs Road flyover; the Pok Fu Lam Road/ Connaught Road West link; the foot-bridge system along Connaught Road in Central District; Aberdeen Tunnel; the Wong Chuk Hang interchange; the Canal Road flyover extensions; and the reprovisioning works for stage one of the Hong Kong Island Eastern Corridor. The Aberdeen Tunnel will connect the northern and southern parts of Hong Kong Island while the Hong Kong Island Eastern Corridor will provide a direct, fast link between Causeway Bay and Shau Kei Wan along the north shore. In anticipation of the opening of the Mass Transit Railway's Admiralty Station in Central District, the road and transport interchange system in the adjacent area was being prepared.

In Kowloon, improvements to the busy junctions of Waterloo Road with Cornwall Street and Junction Road were completed. These road improvements were the first stage of a scheme to build an elevated road to relieve congestion in this area and to minimise the inconvenience to both traffic and pedestrians during its construction. In addition, the widening of Junction Road between Tung Tau Tsuen Road and Fu Mei Street was substantially completed.

Work continued on the second stage of the West Kowloon Corridor at Tai Kok Tsui. This section, which is part of the continuous elevated roadway, will provide a desirable bypass through the seriously congested Tai Kok Tsui area. The whole corridor will eventually provide a direct link between Yau Ma Tei and Lai Chi Kok. The construction of the approach roads at both ends of the Airport Tunnel progressed as scheduled. Foundation works were completed for a flyover at Wai Yip Street, which will provide a continuation of the eastern approach road to the Airport Tunnel to link the Kowloon Bay reclamation with Kwun Tong.

In the New Territories, major completed projects included the widening of Castle Peak Road from Texaco Road to Tuen Mun Road; the provision of roads and drains for the Lai King Hill Road headland development; an access road to Kwai Chung Incinerator; the improvement of Tai Po Road from the Chinese University of Hong Kong to Tai Po causeway level crossing; a new bridge at Yuen Chau Tsai; the improvement of Ting Kok Road from Kwong Fuk Road to Tai Po Industrial Estate; the construction of Kwong Fuk Road foot-bridge; the reconstruction of Cedric Bridge and approach roads at Milestone 16, Castle Peak Road; and the phased improvements to South Lantau Road from Tong Fuk to Shui Hau.