ENG-1996 — Page 310

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TRANSPORT

landscaping works, artificial contouring of surrounding hillsides and installation of noise barriers are considered.

Where necessary, consideration is also given to providing air-conditioning units and double-glazing in domestic premises where noise levels cannot be brought within the required standard by other means.

Road Opening Works

Besides serving as carriageways for vehicles and pedestrians, the roads also accommodate various utility services, such as water and gas mains, sewers, and electricity and telephone cables. To cope with the increasing demand for utility services and maintenance work, utility companies often have to excavate the carriageways and footpaths to lay more pipes, cables and ducts, and to carry out repair work. On average, there were about 162 new road openings each day in 1996. Road openings are co-ordinated and controlled by the Highways Department through a permit system, under which utility companies are required to carry out work to a required standard and within a time limit.

To co-ordinate work more effectively and to minimise traffic disruption, the department holds monthly Road Opening Co-ordinating Committee meetings with the utility companies, the police and the Transport Department. A computerised utility management system is being developed to improve co-ordination and minimise disturbance to road users. The system is expected to be operable by the end of 1997.

Tunnels

The five government-owned tunnels, namely, the Lion Rock, Aberdeen, Airport, Tseung Kwan O and Shing Mun, are managed and operated by private companies under management contracts. The tolls are controlled by the government.

The Lion Rock Tunnel, linking Kowloon and Sha Tin, began single-tube operation in 1967, with a second tube added in 1978. The 1.4-kilometre tunnel is the most heavily used government tunnel, with 93 000 vehicles daily. The toll was $6 in 1996.

The Aberdeen Tunnel, opened in 1982, links the north and south sides of Hong Kong Island. It measures 1.9 kilometres and was used by 60 000 vehicles daily in 1996. The toll was $5.

The toll-free Airport Tunnel provides direct access from Hung Hom to Hong Kong International Airport, and passes underneath the airport runway to Kowloon Bay. Opened in 1982, the 1.3-kilometre tunnel was used by 54 000 vehicles daily in 1996.

The Shing Mun Tunnels between Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan were opened in 1990 and measure 2.6 kilometres. An average of 52 000 vehicles a day paid $5 each to use it in 1996.

The 900-metre Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, opened in 1990, links Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O New Town. It was used by 41 000 vehicles daily in 1996. The toll was $3.

The Cross-Harbour Tunnel, the Eastern Harbour Crossing and the Tate's Cairn Tunnel were built, and the Western Harbour Crossing is being built, by the private sector under 'Build, Operate and Transfer' franchises.