ENG-2000 — Page 309

TRANSPORT

larger covered passenger holding area was under planning with a view to completing the works in 2002.

As a result of the commissioning of 10 extra pairs of immigration/customs kiosks for processing vehicles via the Lok Ma Chau crossing in late 1999, the traffic flow at this crossing and its approach roads has been improved. Phase II of the improvement works commenced in November and was scheduled for completion in 2003. These works include expansion of the Control Point Building, installation of X-ray machines for inspection of goods/container vehicles and additional coach lay-bys.

New Boundary Crossings Under Planning

The volume of cross-boundary traffic is growing rapidly. To accommodate the anticipated further growth, new road and rail crossings have been planned in co- ordination with the Mainland authorities. For road crossings, projects under planning include the Hong Kong/Shenzhen Western Corridor. For rail crossings, the second rail passenger crossing at Huanggang/Lok Ma Chau is targeted for completion in tandem with the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line.

Cross-boundary Ferries

Cross-boundary ferry services to Mainland ports and Macau operate from the China Ferry Terminal and the Macau Ferry Terminal. In 2000, the sea passenger throughput for Mainland ports and Macau totalled 6.1 million and 10.9 million respectively. The China Ferry Terminal has 13 berths and the Macau Ferry Terminal 12 berths, 10 of which are in active use.

Marine Facilities

The Civil Engineering Department is responsible for the planning, design and construction of public marine facilities including piers, beacons, breakwaters, seawalls, navigation channels and anchorage areas. In 2000, the department completed the construction of the fireboat berth at West Kowloon Reclamation and the pier at Tai Pai Kok and continued the reconstruction of the Tung Lung Chau public pier. It started the reconstruction of the Pak Sha Wan public pier. Planning began for Lung Kwu Chau jetty. The department continued with planning for the reprovisioning of the pier at Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Market, the reconstruction of the existing piers at Hei Ling Chau, Tai Lam Chung, Tsing Shan Wan, Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, Kat O, and Wu Kai Sha, design for the Tang Lung Chau Dangerous Goods Anchorage and the sheltered boat anchorage at Tai O.

The Civil Engineering Department is also responsible for the maintenance of public marine facilities. It carries out routine inspections and repairs public marine structures including seawalls, breakwaters, beacons and piers (including ferry piers). It is responsible for maintenance dredging in anchorage areas, typhoon shelters, rivers and navigation channels. In 2000, the department maintained 115 kilometres of seawalls, 298 piers and 18 000 hectares of seabed.

The Port

Hong Kong remained the world's busiest container port in 2000. The port was also ranked one of the busiest in terms of vessel arrivals and departures as well as cargo and passenger throughput. It handled about 80 per cent by weight of Hong Kong's total cargo throughput.

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