ENG-1999 — Page 327

CHAPTER 15

Infrastructure Projects

WITH the far-reaching Airport Core Programme completed upon the opening of the new international airport in 1998, Hong Kong has embarked on other infrastructural developments with equal determination and enterprise.

In 1999, key decisions were made, or significant steps taken, in respect of projects ranging from major new roads and railway lines to hi-tech industrial developments. Overall, more than 1 500 government capital works projects are under way as Hong Kong moves to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The total approved project estimate for these works is about $300 billion. In addition, the two railway corporations are investing over $100 billion in expansion of their networks over the next four years.

The amount of money to be invested far exceeds the spending on the new airport and related projects which dominated infrastructural works in the 1990s. Taken together, the various new major infrastructural works and other projects in the Public Works Programme will create tens of thousand of jobs in the coming years. In 1999, some 26 000 jobs had been created already.

Railways

The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation made significant progress in 1999 on its West Rail (Phase 1) which will provide a 30.5 kilometre railway line in the western part of Hong Kong, connecting West Kowloon and Tuen Mun, via Yuen Long. Construction began in late 1998 and the railway is expected to be completed by the end of 2003.

In addition, the corporation expects to start building in 2000 an extension of the existing East Rail from Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau called the Sheung Shui/Lok Ma Chau Spur Line; a link between Ma On Shan and the existing East Rail station at Tai Wai; and a short extension of its East Rail line from Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui East. The Spur Line will be connected to the Huanggang Station of the new Shenzhen Metro via a rail passenger footbridge at Huanggang/Lok Ma Chau.

The Mass Transit Railway Corporation is building an extension of its railway from the Lam Tin station to the new town of Tseung Kwan O, where the population is projected to grow from 250 000 in 1999 to 520 000 by 2010. The 12.5-kilometre extension is expected to be completed by the end of 2002.

Besides, another 3.6 kilometre rail shuttle link is being planned to connect the Mass Transit Railway Tung Chung Line at a new Yam O Station to Hong Kong Disneyland at Penny's Bay. This rail link will be completed in 2005.

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