ENG-2001 — Page 304

CHAPTER 14

Transport

244

WITH a growing population and continuous development, moving people and goods around in Hong Kong has always been a great challenge. The Government has to ensure that this is carried out in accordance with sustainable development principles. It involves the planning and implementation of the further expansion and improvement of the transport infrastructure, with emphasis on railways; further promoting the use of public transport services by maintaining their quality and improving their co-ordination; effectively managing road use to reduce congestion and promote safety; and continuing to support environmental improvement measures in transport-related areas.

There were significant achievements in railway development in 2001. The MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) started its Platform Screen Door retrofitting works at six stations between Prince Edward and Admiralty for completion by 2003. A new interchange for the Island Line and the Kwun Tong Line at North Point was opened in September. Good progress was made on the construction of the MTR Tseung Kwan O Extension and the project was on schedule for commissioning in late 2002. The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) launched its new trains in September. The corporation's new West Rail project was on target for completion in 2003. Good progress was also being made on construction of both the Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link and the Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui Extension. These two priority projects are targeted for completion in 2004. The Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line has been targeted for completion before mid-2007 to meet the growing cross-boundary passenger traffic demand and to ease the congestion at Lo Wu. The MTRCL's planning for the Penny's Bay Rail Link has proceeded to the detailed design stage and the rail link is scheduled for completion in 2005 to tie in with the opening of the Hong Kong Disneyland project. In response to the Government's tender invitations earlier in the year, proposals were received in July for the Sha Tin to Central Link, the Island Line Extensions and the Kowloon Southern Link. The three projects are aimed for completion between 2008 and 2013 as recommended in the Railway Development Strategy 2000. Assessments of the proposals are in progress.

During the year, construction of several major road projects began, including Route 5 between Tuen Mun Road and the Tsuen Kam Interchange, the Kam Tin Bypass and the improvement to Castle Peak Road between Tsuen Wan Area 2 and Ka Loon Tsuen. The detailed design for the widening of Tolo and Fanling Highways between Tai Po and Fanling also started.

In traffic management, a comprehensive Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Strategy, which sets out a plan for the deployment of advanced information and