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How can roadwork disruptions be reduced?

The solution for minimising roadworks is for the Highways Department to build master tunnels, ducts and culverts under the roads which can be used by utilities and various government departments for routing pipes and cables.

This solution has been put forward many times over the past 100 years in Hong Kong.

However, each time, the government baulks at the initial cost and the maintenance and management responsibilities.

The Queen's Road West drama shows that the tally of the true community cost of the constant digging up of roads and walkways means it is never too early to start on such a scheme.

The public should note that not only is this simple scheme not being applied under existing roads, new roads in new areas are built without smart 'underground protection measures'.

One big example is the Central reclamation, where the road P2 will be built only to be dug up again for a tunnel for a future MTR.

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