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In response to newspaper reports on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) today (November 6), a government spokesman said the completion date of Public Works Programme (PWP) Item No. 6845TH - Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge - Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) - Reclamation and Superstructures mentioned in the Development Bureau's reply to Mr Wu Chi-wai's Legislative Council (LegCo) written question No. 10 yesterday (November 5), i.e. by end-2017, refers to the completion date of the contract for the associated traffic control and surveillance system (TCSS) under this item. This contract will be completed in phases and some of the TCSS facilities need not be in place when the construction of the bridge is completed.
PWP Item No. 6845TH covers four works contracts under construction. Apart from the above TCSS contract, which will be completed in phases, the other three contracts will be completed by end-2016 (refer to Annex).
As regards the cost for the bridge's HKBCF, the approved project estimate in November 2011 was $30.4339 billion. According to the current preliminary estimate, the spokesman said the approved project estimate has to be increased by about $5 billion, mainly because the tender prices/estimated tender prices for the works contracts awarded/to be awarded are higher than the estimate when the Government sought approval from the LegCo in 2011 due to the surge in wage levels of construction workers, prices of construction materials and machinery, etc, in recent years. When the amount is finalised, the Government will give an account to the LegCo and then seek funding approval from the LegCo Public Works Subcommittee and the Finance Committee.
Ends/Thursday, November 6, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:10
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