ENG-1981 — Page 231

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COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT

North Point, Quarry Bay, Sai Wan Ho and Shau Kei Wan, thus relieving the traffic congestion on King's Road, Java Road and Shau Kei Wan Road.

Planning and design were in hand for an elevated road along Connaught Road Central and West, and the Gloucester Road flyover, the improvement of May Road, and improvements at the junctions of May Road with Magazine Gap Road and Blue Pool Road with Tai Hang Road, as well as for an elevated walkway interlinking Admiralty Station and Hutchison House. Feasibility studies were commenced for Route 7 from Kennedy Town to Aberdeen, for Route 81 from Aberdeen Tunnel to Stanley, for the widening of Tai Tam Road at Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir and for the extension of the Island Eastern Corridor from Shau Kei Wan to Chai Wan.

In Kowloon, the major projects completed included the East Kowloon Way and San Shan interchange at To Kwa Wan, completing the western approach to the Airport Tunnel. The eastern approach to the Airport Tunnel, through the Kowloon Bay reclamation area, was also substantially completed. A contract was let for the construction of the northern elevated road from Ngau Tau Kok to Kowloon Bay and detailed design on the southern elevated road continued. Several new roads in the Kowloon Bay development area were completed and the construction of two footbridges was well advanced. Construction of the last two sections of East Kowloon Corridor linking the Airport Tunnel with Kwun Tong was progressing rapidly. Further to the east, a new road to supplement the existing Clear Water Bay Road from Choi Hung interchange to Anderson Road was completed and opened to traffic. The construction of the first phase of West Kowloon Corridor at Tai Kok Tsui was substantially completed, while the second phase continued to make progress. On completion, this corridor will form part of an elevated road linking Yau Ma Tei with Lai Chi Kok. Planning and design for improvements to Gascoigne Road and Chatham Road and for an elevated vehicular link between the eastern and western portions of Kowloon Tong were initiated.

In addition, roads serving new public housing estates at Kowloon Bay (Kai Yip Estate), Lai Chi Kok (Lai Kok Estate) and Chuk Yuen (Chuk Yuen Estate) were completed. The permanent reinstatement of the busy Nathan Road above the Mass Transit Railway tunnel was completed and a pedestrian subway, resting on top of the tunnel, was constructed across Nathan Road at Saigon Street.

In the New Territories, major completed projects included two grade-separated inter- changes in Castle Peak Road at its junction with Texaco Road and at Tai Wo Tsuen; Tsuen Wan bypass Stage I connecting Kwai Chung Road near Lai King Headland with Texaco Road; and the construction of the second carriageway of Tuen Mun Road between Tsuen Wan and Sham Tseng. Also in Castle Peak Road, a footbridge was completed near Ping Fu Path and another near Wo Yi Hop Road. A third footbridge was completed at the junction of Shing Mun Road and Kok Shui Road. At the border, the widening of Man Kam To Road and the eastern footbridge at Lo Wu were completed. In addition, detailed design of Clear Water Bay Road from Hiram's Highway to Hang Hau Road and preliminary planning of the section of the New Territories circular road from Au Tau to Sheung Shui were finalised. Consultants were appointed to undertake a feasibility study of alternative transport development in the Sha Tin - Tsuen Wan Corridor. The final report of North Lantau Transport Access Study was completed.

Satisfactory construction progress was maintained on the second carriageway of Tuen Mun Road between Sham Tseng and Tuen Mun and also on the grade-separated interchange at Chai Wan Kok linking Tuen Mun Road and Castle Peak Road. The improvement of Clear Water Bay Road to a dual carriageway between Anderson Road and