Highways Department Celebrates 40 Years of Infrastructure Development in Hong Kong

2026-06-01 22:42 Last Updated At：23:03

HyD celebrates 40th anniversary

The Highways Department (HyD) held its 40th Anniversary celebration ceremony today (June 1). The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Vic Yau; and the Director of Highways, Mr Tony Yau, officiated at the ceremony. Over 300 distinguished guests attended the ceremony, including representatives from the Liaison Office, Executive Council members, over 30 Legislative Council members, heads of bureaux and departments, as well as leaders of the construction industry.

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HyD celebrates 40th anniversary Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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HyD celebrates 40th anniversary Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Officiating at the ceremony, Mr Chan said that over the past four decades, the HyD has been both a participant in and a contributor to Hong Kong's development. With the concerted and unremitting efforts of the department as well as other government bureaux and departments, Hong Kong has developed an extensive road and railway network spanning the territory and connecting with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This network has facilitated public mobility, supported economic development, and promoted regional integration. He noted that colleagues have remained steadfast at their posts, monitoring the conditions of roads, bridges, tunnels and street lighting to ensure the smooth and reliable operation of the transport system. He added that the Government will increase investment in public works in the coming years, in particular by expediting the development of the Northern Metropolis so as to pursue infrastructure-led development and create capacity. This will not only lay a more solid foundation for Hong Kong's long-term development but also open up broader opportunities for the relevant trades. He remarked that enhancing the quality and efficiency of infrastructure development requires technology empowerment to continuously elevate standards in design, construction and maintenance. He expressed the hope that the HyD, together with other works departments, would continue to actively explore the adoption of high-quality Mainland standards and technologies so as to enhance project quality while enabling Hong Kong to act as a "super connector" and "super valueadder" in aligning national standards, or Guobiao, with international standards and rules, and that the department would continue to uphold its "pioneering" spirit, strive for excellence and work in concert with all sectors of the community to build a more liveable, efficient and convenient city for the public.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Chan remarked that roads and railways are the vital arteries that connect a city, and over the past forty years, the HyD team has quietly contributed to the everyday steps people take towards a better life. She pointed out that Hong Kong's road network has expanded significantly from about 1 323 kilometres when the department was established in 1986 to more than 2 200 kilometres today, representing an increase of 70 per cent. Looking back at the many milestones the HyD has achieved, from the early Island Eastern Corridor, to the Tsing Ma Bridge, the Tung Chung Line, the Airport Express, and Stonecutters Bridge, and more recently completed East Rail Line Cross-Harbour Extension and Central Kowloon Route (Yau Ma Tei Section), as well as the formulation of the Hong Kong Railway Standards, all of these reflect the professional dedication of generations of HyD colleagues and industry partners in their pursuit of excellence. She expressed hope that colleagues of the HyD will continue to adopt a "policy innovation" and "technological innovation" dual-innovation mindset, and play a more active role in integrating into the national development strategy. Through the advancement of strategic projects including the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link, the Northern Link, Tsing Lung Bridge, and the Northern Metropolis Highway, the Government will build a broad network of roads and railways under the "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" layout, fully unlocking Hong Kong's future development potential, deepening connectivity with the Greater Bay Area, and leveraging today's planning to achieve Hong Kong's long-term development.

Mr Yau said at the ceremony that 40 years ago today, the Highways Office was upgraded to the HyD, marking the Government's determination to promote transport infrastructure to support Hong Kong's development. Looking back, the department has transformed from an office initially responsible solely for road construction into a multidisciplinary professional team that now drives cross-boundary road projects, plans and advances strategic railway network connectivity, embraces technological innovation, and sets industry standards. Mr. Yau pointed out that every leap in Hong Kong's economy has been underpinned by solid infrastructure, and the HyD has been the "pioneer" driving the city's advancement. The department is fully prepared to take forward the major road and railway infrastructure projects for the Northern Metropolis, including the Northern Metropolis Highway, Route 11, Tsing Lung Bridge, the Northern Link, and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link, opening up new opportunities for Hong Kong's development. At the same time, the department will continue to carry out road maintenance and district works to safeguard the safety of road users.

In addition, to celebrate its 40th anniversary, the HyD is holding a roving exhibition, "Connecting People, Building a Better Life" at various locations across Hong Kong from the end of May to mid-July this year. The exhibition reviews the department's achievements and future plans since its establishment in enhancing the road network, carrying out maintenance works, and fully advancing railway development. It also displays exhibits such as old street name plates and thematic manhole covers, and features interactive games. Members of the public are welcome to visit.

For more details, please visit the HyD's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hydgovhk) or Instagram page (www.instagram.com/hydgovhk/).

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FEHD Reports Rising Aedes albopictus Indexes in May, Urges Public to Strengthen Mosquito Control Measures

FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (June 1) released the sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 19 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

May 2026

First PhaseGravidtrap Index

First PhaseDensity Index

Central and Western

Central and Admiralty

13.2%

1.4

Southern

Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay

13.3%

1.5

Kowloon City

Kai Tak

14.9%

1.1

Wong Tai Sin

Diamond Hill and Tsz Wan Shan

18.3%

1.0

Sha Tin

Sha Tin East

20.3%

1.2

Kwai Tsing

Kwai Chung East

9.5%

2.0

Kwai Chung West

17.8%

1.0

Lai King

27.8%

1.5

Tsing Yi North

33.3%

1.3

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan West

37.7%

1.2

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun West

18.8%

1.3

District

Survey Area

May 2026

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Central and Western

Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun

20.5%

1.9

Kowloon City

Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan

17.2%

1.7

Kwun Tong

Kowloon Bay

28.9%

1.8

Wong Tai Sin

Ngau Chi Wan and San Po Kong

14.7%

1.9

Sai Kung

Sai Kung Town

22.1%

1.4

Tai Po

Tai Po East

10.2%

1.1

Tuen Mun

So Kwun Wat

20.5%

1.3

Yuen Long

Hung Shui Kiu and Ping Shan

14.3%

1.3

With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The indexes are higher from April to June. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. As compared with last year, the temperature began to climb earlierthis year and the rainfall in April and May increased substantially, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. Depending on factors like rainfall, the indexes may rise further but the overall trend of gravidtrap indexes this year is similar to those of previous years.

For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated four prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractor, estate management companies and a property management company following the discovery of mosquito breeding at a construction site, two public housing estates and a private housing estate in Central and Western District, Kwun Tong District, Sai Kung District and Tsuen Wan District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in six parks, four construction sites, 15 public housing estates, eight private housing estates and four private premises in Central and Western District, Kowloon City District, Kwun Tong District, Wong Tai Sin District, Sai Kung District, Sha Tin District, Tai Po District, Kwai Tsing District, Tsuen Wan District and Yuen Long District, the FEHD has issued 37 statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;

remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;

check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;

change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;

properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;

properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and

scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.

Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

Highways Department Celebrates 40 Years of Infrastructure Development in Hong Kong

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