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The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Paul Tang, visited the Highways Department (HyD) this afternoon (June 12) to learn more about the work of the department and to take the opportunity to meet its staff.
Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Raymond Wong, Mr Tang met with the Director of Highways, Mr Lau Ka-keung, and the directorate staff. He noted that the HyD is committed to providing an efficient road and rail network as well as undertaking the construction and maintenance of Hong Kong's public road system for the movement of people and goods.
Mr Tang started with a tour of the Emergency Control Centre (ECC), where he was briefed by departmental staff on the operation of the centre. ECCs will be activated during inclement weather or whenever the need arises to deal with any emergency road maintenance works, and to restore the effectiveness of our road networks as quickly as possible. To ensure that all responsible staff are familiar with the duties and procedures associated with emergency incidents, the HyD has prepared an Emergency Handbook and training materials for them, and talks are arranged from time to time.
Mr Tang then went to see a presentation by staff of the Survey Division on the Mobile Mapping System (MMS) technology. Together with supplementary surveys, the technology is deployed to collect specific types of road surface inventory data from the captured 3D geo-referenced images of all roads maintained by the HyD to facilitate the planning of maintenance work.
Mr Tang also visited the Major Works Project Management Office for a briefing on the latest progress of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass. Mr Tang learned that the main carriageway is anticipated to be commissioned in 2017. This will relieve the present traffic congestion from Connaught Road Central to Gloucester Road and cater for traffic demand generated by future developments.
Before concluding his visit, Mr Tang met with staff representatives of various grades at a tea gathering to exchange views on relevant issues. He encouraged the staff to continue offering their high quality, efficient and professional services to the public.
Ends/Thursday, June 12, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:42
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