1 Transport Bureau In the past year, we have been working on 79 pledges, of which : we have completed 25; we are on schedule with 40; four are under review; we are taking active measures to speed up the progress on three which are behind schedule; and we are pressing ahead with seven on-going commitments. The following sets out the detailed report for each main programme area. Transport Infrastructure Year Pledge Present Position Action Completed 1997 1. To finalise in 1997 our The proposed engineering schemes proposals on the way forward for the two projects were submitted to for the Ma On Shan/Tai Wai rail and approved in principle by the link and the Kowloon-Canton Executive Council (ExCo) in Railway extension. December 1997. The Kowloon- Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) has been invited to submit proposals for implementing these two projects. 1994 2. To award a franchise to build The Tai Lam Tunnel and Yuen Long and operate the Tai Lam Tunnel Approach Road opened to traffic on and Yuen Long Approach Road 25 May 1998. sections of the Country Park Section of Route 3 by the end of 1994 and to complete the project in 1998. 1994 3. To improve traffic flow in the The Ting Kau Bridge opened to New Territories by building the traffic on 6 May 1998. Ting Kau Bridge by June 1997. 2 1994 4. To widen the Lung Cheung and We have completed the works. Ching Cheung Roads. Action in Progress : On Schedule 1997 5. To enhance the link between The investigation and preliminary Northwest New Territories and design work commenced in March Northeast Lantau by providing 1998. We will continue to monitor a new highway between Yuen progress to ensure that the Long and the future Lantau investigation and preliminary design port (the Sham Tseng Link). To work will be completed in 2000. start investigation and preliminary design work in March 1998 for completion in 2000. To schedule work to commence in 2002 for completion in 2007 at a cost around $22 billion. 1997 6. To construct a dual two-lane The feasibility study was completed expressway, Route 9, between in September 1998. We will seek Northwest Tsing Yi and Lai Chi approval for the financial Kok to cater for the future commitment for the detailed design growth in traffic between and construction consultancy study Western New Territories/new in October 1998. airport and urban areas. To complete the feasibility study by September 1998. To commence work in 2002 for completion in 2006 at a cost of some $10 billion. 1997 7. To improve the capacity of Stage 1 of the improvement works Kam Tin Road between Au Tau on the section of Kam Tin Road and Kadoorie Farm to dual between Au Tau and Kadoorie Farm two-lane standard and build a has been authorised by ExCo under new road bypassing Kam Tin the Roads (Works, Use and Town. To schedule work to Compensation) Ordinance. commence in 1999 for Construction will commence in early completion in 2005 in phases at 1999. Good progress has been made a cost of $860 million. with the preliminary design for Stage 2 improvement works. The design and construction consultancy of the Kam Tin Bypass commenced in May 1998. 3 1997 8. To improve the traffic The project was gazetted under circulation within Fo Tan area Roads (Works, Use and by providing an additional Compensation) Ordinance in traffic lane in each direction of November 1997. Detailed design Fo Tan Road between Yuen Wo started in December 1997. Road and Kwei Tei Street. To schedule work to commence in 1999 for completion in 2002 at a cost of $400 million. 1997 9. To widen the section of Choi A feasibility study commenced in Hung Road between Yin Hing May 1998. Street and Sze Mei Street to dual three-lane carriageway to cater for increased traffic. To schedule work to commence in 2002 for completion in 2006 at a cost of $430 million. 1997 10. To cater for the increasing Preliminary design has been traffic demand in Eastern completed. We will seek approval district of Hong Kong Island for the financial commitment for the by widening the Island Eastern detailed design and construction of Corridor between North Point the project in October 1998. Interchange and Sai Wan Ho. To schedule work to commence in 2000 for completion in 2003 at a cost of $720 million. 1997 11. To commission studies on the following proposed roads, which together with the Sham Tseng Link and the Deep Bay Link, will form the Western Highway, providing an expressway service for cross-boundary traffic on the western part of the territory: Route 7 between Investigation and Preliminary Kennedy Town and Design Assignment commenced in Aberdeen; and July 1998. 4 Green Island Link Expressions of interest have been between the future invited for the detailed feasibility study Lantau port and the on the project. We will seek approval proposed Green Island for the financial commitment for the Reclamation. study in October 1998. 1997 12. To examine the need for, and This is being examined in the Third preferred alignment of, an Comprehensive Transport Study to be Eastern Highway between completed in early 1999. Transport Eastern New Territories and modelling work is underway. urban areas. 1997 13. To examine the need for an This is being examined in the Third additional expressway to Comprehensive Transport Study to be strengthen the east-west route completed in early 1999. Transport in the New Territories. modelling work is underway. 1997 14. To improve the traffic flow The road scheme for the section between Northeast New between Sha Tin and Tai Po was Territories and urban areas by authorised in September 1998, and widening Tolo Highway and construction work will start in Fanling Highway between Sha December 1998. The road scheme Tin and Fanling. To commence for the section between Tai Po and work in 1998 for completion in Fanling has been included in Cat. B 2005 in phases at a cost of of the Public Works Programme. around $3 billion. Shortlisting of consultants for the investigation assignment is in progress. 1997 15. To consider how to take The design and construction forward the proposed Central consultancy assignment commenced Kowloon Route between West on 1 June 1998. Kowloon and Southeast Kowloon. 1997 16. To finalise the Project The draft Project Agreement for Agreement for Phase I of the Phase I of the West Rail was West Rail in 1998 with a view to endorsed by ExCo in January 1998. commencing construction of Following ExCos authorisation of the the railway in the same year. railway scheme in September 1998 The West Rail passenger system under the Railways Ordinance, from Tsuen Wan to Yuen Long construction of the railway will start will be completed by 2002, and before the end of 1998. extended to Tuen Mun by 2003. 5 1997 17. To speed up the planning of The timing and implementation Phase II of the West Rail, which sequence of Phase II of the West will provide cross-boundary Rail are being examined in the passenger and freight services context of the Second Railway between Hong Kong and the Development Study, which Mainland. commenced in March 1998. In the light of the congestion currently experienced at the Lo Wu Terminal, we are considering the feasibility of constructing the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau spur line, which is part of Phase II of the West Rail, ahead of a decision on the entire project. 1997 18. To finalise the Project The draft Project Agreement on the Agreement for the Tseung Tseung Kwan O Extension was Kwan O Extension in 1998, approved by ExCo in March 1998. with a view to commencing Subject to ExCos authorisation of construction of the project in the railway scheme, construction the same year. To complete the works can start before the end of Extension by 2003. 1998. 1997 19. To examine the following These projects are being examined in longer-term projects in the the context of the Second Railway context of a review of the Development Study, which Railway Development Strategy, commenced in March 1998. The taking into account a higher Study will last for 18 months. population forecast since 1994: Interim recommendations will be made regarding the most urgent a fourth cross-harbour rail projects in the next phase of railway link; development. the East Kowloon Line; a second connection from the Ma On Shan/ Tai Wai rail link to the urban areas; North Hong Kong Island Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Line; and West Hong Kong Island MTR Line. 6 1996 20. To cater for increased traffic The project has been authorised generated by the opening of under Roads (Works, Use and the new airport by constructing Compensation) Ordinance, and the Tsing Yi North Coastal approval for the financial Road, a 2.1 kilometre dual two- commitment obtained. Tenders will lane carriageway linking the be invited in October 1998. Work is Tsing Tsuen Bridge and the scheduled to start in early 1999. Lantau Link. Work to start in early 1999 for completion in early 2002 at a cost of over $1.2 billion. 1996 21. To cater for increased traffic Tenders for construction was invited generated by the opening of in August 1998. Construction is the Western Harbour Crossing expected to start before the end of by constructing a dual two-lane 1998. flyover spanning the junction of Pokfulam Road and Sassoon Road. Work to commence in late 1998 for completion in mid-2001 at a cost of $363 million. 1996 22.