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Roadworks in Tuen Mun would not only improve the transportation network but would also create about 10,000 jobs, the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng said this afternoon (December 31) on an inspection of improvement works at Tuen Mun Road.
A number of major transportation infrastructure projects worth about $28.6 billion are either in progress or in the pipeline to cope with the rapid development of Tuen Mun and the Northwest New Territories. These include reconstruction and improvement of Tuen Mun Road; construction of Tuen Mun Western Bypass (TMWB) and the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL).
"The reconstruction and improvement of Tuen Mun Road will open up 2,800 jobs. A total of 7,400 jobs will be created under the projects of TMWB and TM-CLK Link. These employment opportunities will help alleviate the difficulties faced by our citizens and boost the economy," Ms Cheng said.
Accompanied by Tuen Mun District Council and Heung Yee Kuk Chairman, Mr Lau Wong-fat, the Director of Highways, Mr Wai Chi-sing, and Tuen Mun District Officer, Mr Eddie Cheung, Ms Cheng inspected the works site of Tsing Tin Interchange of Tuen Mun Road reconstruction and improvements project. She was satisfied that good progress was being made. This included widening of the road section, installation of noise barriers and low noise surfacing on the road. The works are expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
Tuen Mun Road reconstruction and improvement is divided into three parts: widening the road from dual-two lane to a dual three-lane configuration in Tsing Tin Interchange; reconstruction and improvement along Tuen Mun Road expressway section; and road widening works at the section near Tuen Mun Town Centre. The work at Tsing Tin Interchange is expected to be completed by the end of 2009, the section near Tuen Mun Town Centre by 2012 and the Tuen Mun Road expressway section by 2014 in phases.
Tuen Mun Road, designed and built in the 1970s, is a major link between Tuen Mun and Kowloon. The road has seen the development of Tuen Mun New Town and the Northwest New Territories. The improvement and widening works will upgrade the road to the current highways standards and will cater for the increasing traffic demand.
Before the road inspection, Ms Cheng visited a number of places in Tuen Mun. Her first stop was the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council - The Providence Garden for Rehab. It is an integrated rehabilitation complex providing hostel and day care services to the mentally or physically handicapped and those recovering from mental illnesses.
Ms Cheng then visited Tsing Chuen Wai, a traditional walled village and one of the 35 rural villages in Tuen Mun. The villagers are the descendants of the To clan. She toured the To ancestral hall and was briefed on the history of the village. She was warmly welcomed by the family members during a family visit in the village. They exchanged joyful New Year wishes to each other and to the people of Hong Kong as well.
Ends/Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:23
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