ENG-1985 — Page 212

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LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

building, dating from the first decade of the 20th century, has been declared of historical interest. Careful restoration work has returned it to its original appearance, and although extensive internal modifications have been undertaken, the Central Chamber, which features the high domed ceiling of what was the original Great Court, has in essence been preserved, and is now in use as the Legislative Council Chamber.

Expansion of the Kai Tak (Passenger) Terminal Building is well underway, the initial reprovisioning works having been completed as well as a new tower for airfield surface detection equipment. A new transport terminus on the former western carpark was also completed and has removed the taxi operations from the arrivals tunnel. Work on the major part of the passenger terminal extension started in December and is planned to be completed in early 1988. This work by necessity will be carried out while the airport is in full operation, and upon completion will provide a new baggage area and two new baggage reclaim loops at the arrivals level, an enlarged departure hall with two new check-in islands as well as extended lounges, offices and restaurant facilities. The expansion work will increase the passenger handling capacity of the airport from the present 10 million passengers a year to 18 million.

Expansion of the territory's medical facilities continued during the year, with several hospital contracts in progress. Work on the 1 600-bed Tuen Mun Hospital, to serve the northwestern part of the New Territories, progressed steadily, and is expected to be completed in 1988. This hospital is thought to be the largest now under construction in the world. Work on the adjacent nurses' quarters and training school began in July and is phased to be completed in late 1988. Site formation for the Queen Mary Hospital extension was completed at the beginning of the year and work then began on the superstructure which will comprise two new buildings, one of 29 storeys and one of 12 storeys which together will provide an additional 844 beds. This phase is expected to be completed in late 1988, when work will begin on upgrading existing wards eventually to provide a total of 2 000 beds by 1990.

Improvement works at the Tang Shiu Kin Hospital began in October with the start of construction of a new ward block which is due for completion in early 1988. Other reprovisioning and improvement works will follow in the existing buildings and these are due for completion by the end of 1989. The hospital will remain fully functional throughout this redevelopment.

In July, consultants were appointed for the Eastern District Hospital, polyclinic and staff quarters project in Chai Wan. Site formation work on this large project is now in progress and is due for completion at the end of 1986. The hospital development, estimated to cost around $1,310 million, will also include a nurses' training school. The development is spread over a nine hectare site and is projected for completion in 1991.

The year saw the start of a project which is architecturally interesting and of great public interest the Hong Kong Cultural Centre adjacent to the Space Museum. The centre will be surrounded by a pedestrian piazza linked to the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade and will occupy an imposing position on the waterfront. One of the many interesting design features of the centre will be the suspended cable roof which will be a first in Hong Kong. Construction of this project is due for completion at the end of 1987. The final phase of the development, the Arts Museum on an adjacent site, is at an advanced stage of design.

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At district level, the offices and bus station of the Civic and Cultural Complex in the Tuen Mun Town Centre were completed. The auditorium is due for completion in late 1986. Work on the Sha Tin Cultural Complex and Library also proceeded well during the year, it too being due for completion in late 1986.