ENG-1992 — Page 227

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

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construction activities for the provision of land, infrastructure and a full range of social, educational and recreational facilities in the New Territories, it has outgrown the public housing-led concept and become more concerned with the 'quality of life' of the populace living in the new towns.

At the end of 1992, about 2.5 million people were housed in the new towns. The present design population capacity of the eight new towns at Sha Tin, Tai Po, Fanling/Sheung Shui, Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan, Tseung Kwan O and rural townships is 3.5 million. The population build up is embodied in programmes extending to the 2000s.

The year 1993 marks the twentieth anniversary of the Territory Development Department, which was created in 1973 (under the name of New Territories Development Department), to plan and implement the new town development programmes. In 1986 the department extended its role to cover works co-ordination and further development in the urban areas. Hence its present title and its readiness for the added emphasis on the urban extension areas.

The department is constituted on a multi-disciplinary basis and includes professional officers with expertise in civil engineering, architecture, landscaping and planning. They work closely with the Housing Department, Planning Department, City and New Territories Administration, Architectural Services Department, Regional Services Depart- ment and other government departments to ensure that development objectives are met economically, efficiently and in accordance with the development programmes.

In addition to participation by other works departments and consultants, the private sector has been actively taking part in the development of comprehensive housing schemes within the new towns and rural townships.

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan New Town extends over the areas of Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi Island. Its population is currently estimated to stabilise over the next 10 years at around 710 000. While new development and redevelopment will take place, the gradual reduction in family size and increased provision of larger flats will result in a decrease in population in some areas resulting in no overall increase.

Container Terminal No. 8 (CT8) at Stonecutters Island is already under construction. The first berth is anticipated to be commissioned in September 1993 and the remaining three berths at six-month intervals thereafter. Completion is expected by April 1995. Container Terminal No. 9 (CT9) will be sited at south-east Tsing Yi. Construction work is expected to commence in early 1993. Upon completion of CT9 development in early 1997, Hong Kong's container handling capacity will be increased by about 64 per cent. Detailed design for the duplicate Tsing Yi South Bridge has been completed and the construction work will commence together with the CT9 development. Its timely completion is essential to tie in with the opening of the first berth of CT9 scheduled for mid-1995.

Major highway projects will further extend and improve the principal road network. In Tsuen Wan, with the completion and opening of the flyover for the improvement of Texaco Road (Phase I) at the end of 1991, traffic conditions at the junctions of Texaco Road/Yeung Uk Road and Texaco Road/Sha Tsui Road were greatly improved. Footbridge systems at the junctions of Kwan Mun Hau Street/Castle Peak Road and Yeung Uk Road/Ma Tau Pa Road were also completed and opened to pedestrians in late