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Following is a question by the Dr Hon Kwok Ka-ki and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, in the Legislative Council today (January 9):
Question:
Recently, I have received complaints from members of the public that the construction works of a footbridge connecting the Tsuen Wan and Tsuen Wan West MTR stations, which form a part of the extension works of the footbridge network in Tsuen Wan, have already been completed for several months but the footbridge is not yet commissioned. The Highways Department indicated in June 2012 that since cracks had been found in the footbridge during the acceptance tests, it was necessary to conduct detailed tests and implement remedial measures. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the original commissioning date of the footbridge when funding for the aforesaid works project was approved; the number of times for which the commissioning date has been deferred so far and the reasons for each deferral;
(b) of the parts of the footbridge where cracks were found; the causes of the cracks; whether there were problems other than the cracks that caused the footbridge to have failed in the acceptance procedure; whether the cracks and other problems will affect the structural safety of the footbridge;
(c) of the remedial works carried out for tackling the cracks and other problems; the time required and the costs for each item of the remedial works as well as the progress in each month since the problems were found;
(d) of the expenditure on the footbridge works project as at the original commissioning date, and how this amount compares with the approved estimate of expenditure; the amounts of the various additional expenditure items arising from the delay in the works; whether such expenditure was paid by the contractor or out of the public coffers;
(e) whether it has assessed if the problems, including the cracks, which caused the footbridge to have failed in the acceptance procedure involve negligence on the part of the contractor; if the assessment result is in the affirmative, whether the contractor will be penalized or black-listed; of the numbers of inspections and examinations conducted by the authorities during the construction period, and whether any problems (including those on the work process, output and progress, etc.) had been found then; if so, of the number of times in which problems had been found and the problems involved; if not, why such problems were found only after the construction works had been completed, and whether it has assessed if the situation involved ineffective monitoring on the part of the government departments and officials concerned; if the assessment result is in the affirmative, of the government departments and officials involved; and
(f) of the latest commissioning date of the footbridge?
Reply:
President,
My replies to the six parts of Dr Hon Kwok Ka-ki's question are set out respectively as follows:
(a) The footbridge project at Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan was originally scheduled for commissioning in January 2012 at the time of funding approval in January 2008. As the project is located at an old development area, trial pit results have revealed that there are many existing underground utilities at the construction site and that their distribution is far more complicated than what was anticipated during the design stage. To avoid damaging such utilities, the contractor needs more time to conduct the relevant works, such as assisting the utilities companies to excavate trenches and conduct utility diversion works through various means. The completion date of the project has therefore been extended to May 2012.
Hairline cracks have been found at the welded joints of certain footbridge components during the acceptance tests conducted by the Highways Department (HyD) in April 2012. Therefore, investigation and remedial works have to be conducted to ensure that the footbridge complies with specified safety standards and requirements before being opened for public use.
(b) The cracks are located in the welded joints of certain columns and beams on the deck of the footbridge. Given that the joints in question have already passed the necessary tests during construction and no cracks have been found at that time, the cause of their formation is still under investigation. For prudence's sake, the HyD has conducted detailed tests on the entire footbridge to ensure its safety. The results show that the footbridge is structurally stable on the whole.
(c) The HyD completed the detailed tests on the entire footbridge in July 2012. In order to open the footbridge for public use as early as possible, priority has been given to formulating the remedial plan for phase 1 of the footbridge (i.e. the section near Sha Tsui Road Playground to Hau Tei Square). Remedial works have commenced since September 2012, which mainly include removing aluminium ceilings and glass fences, treating the cracks at the welded joints, and welding steel plates to the joints to strengthen them. The HyD is discussing the cost of the remedial works with the consultant and the contractor, on the premise that no additional costs will be borne by the Government for the incident.
At present, all welded joints of phase 1 have passed the necessary tests while the works for welding steel plates to the joints are nearing completion. The contractor will soon reinstall the aluminium ceilings and glass fences. Loading tests will be arranged by the HyD to ensure the quality of the remedial works before the footbridge is opened for public use. The HyD expects that the works will be completed before the Lunar New Year. Relevant works on the remaining parts of the footbridge have also commenced, which are expected to be gradually opened to the public in the first and second quarters of 2013.
(d) The original estimate for the footbridge project was $169 million. As at the original commission date of May 2012, the actual expenditure was about $150 million, similar to that originally estimated. As mentioned above, the HyD is discussing the cost of the remedial works with the consultant and the contractor, on the premise that no additional costs will be borne by the Government for the incident on the hairline cracks.
(e) This project is designed by a HyD commissioned consultant, who is also responsible for monitoring the contractor's works. Preliminary investigation findings have revealed that there are deficiencies in some joints of the footbridge and hairline cracks are formed. However, the welded joints in question of the footbridge have already passed the necessary tests during construction and no cracks have been found at that time. The cause of problem is still under investigation. The HyD has requested the consultant to review the works and experts have also been engaged for an independent assessment. At present, we are endeavouring to finish the remedial works as soon as possible for early opening of the footbridge to the public.
The HyD always attaches great importance to the quality control of the project. During construction, the works procedures of the contractor have been closely monitored by the consultant's resident site staff, who will ensure compliance of specified safety standards and requirements. The consultant and the contractor are required to submit monthly works reports to the HyD for inspection. In addition, upon completion of the project, the HyD will conduct detailed acceptance tests again to ensure that the quality of the works complies with specified safety standards and requirements before opening the footbridge for public use.
(f) As mentioned above, we understand the public's aspiration for using the footbridge as soon as possible. Therefore, the HyD has given priority to formulating and implementing the remedial plan for the section of the footbridge near Sha Tsui Road Playground to Hau Tei Square. The HyD hopes that the works will be completed before the Lunar New Year and that this section of the footbridge can be opened for public use as soon as possible.
Also, Sitting-out Area No. 3 at Hau Tei Square was opened to the public in November 2012. The lift and staircases there will be opened together with the above-mentioned section of the footbridge before the Lunar New Year.
The remaining parts of the footbridge will be gradually opened to the public in the first and second quarters of 2013.
Ends/Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:01
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