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The Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Central-Wan Chai Bypass (CWB) - Tunnel (Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter Section) was held today (January 26), signifying that the core construction of the CWB Project is now in full swing.
The CWB is a 4.5km long dual three expressway, with 3.7km being road tunnel, connecting Central and North Point via Wan Chai and Causeway Bay. Upon its commissioning, the travelling time between Central and North Point will be significantly reduced to five minutes. The CWB will also enhance the capacity of the connecting road networks of the Western Harbour Tunnel. The overall efficiency of the traffic network in Hong Kong will thus be improved.
"The successful commencement of CWB - Tunnel (Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter Section) is a clear testimony that with the spirit of mutual understanding, different stakeholders in the community are willing to be accommodating and contribute to the overall interest of Hong Kong," the Under Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Yau Shing-mu said in his speech when he officiated at the Ground Breaking Ceremony.
"While we will continue to press ahead with the Project full steam, we will maintain close liaison with the stakeholders to strive for completing the Project in 2017 as scheduled, so as to enable early improvement to the traffic condition along the north shore of Hong Kong Island."
The contract sum of the CWB - Tunnel (Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter Section) is about $5.4 billion. The works mainly comprise the construction of a 750-metre section of the CWB tunnel between the ex-Wan Chai Public Cargo Working Area and the east breakwater of the Typhoon Shelter.
To facilitate the tunnel construction works, the first stage of the relocation of boaters of the typhoon shelter had been completed successfully.
The Government will continue to maintain close liaison with the stakeholders and to implement effective mitigation measures so as to reduce the impact of the construction on the public to a minimum. For this, the Government has set up a community liaison centre and formed community liaison groups with stakeholders' participation, so as to address the public's concerns on the construction promptly.
Other key officiating guests at today's ceremony were the Chairman of Legislative Council Public Works Subcommittee, Dr Raymond Ho; Deputy Director of Economic Affairs Department, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Sun Wen Xiu; Director of Highways, Mr Lau Ka-keung; the Chairlady of Eastern District Council, Ms Ting Yuk-chee; the Chairman of Wan Chai District Council, Mr Suen Kai-cheong; the Project Manager/Major Works of Highways Department, Mr Mak Wai-pui; and the representatives of the Contractor, China State Construction Engineering (HK) Ltd. and the Consultant, AECOM.
Ends/Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:10
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