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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, at a media session on preservation measures in regard to the archaeological discoveries at To Kwa Wan Station on the Shatin to Central Link today (November 20):
The Transport and Housing Bureau attaches great importance to the archaeological finds within the works site of To Kwan Wan Station of the Shatin to Central Link (SCL). We have been working very closely with the Development Bureau, and have asked the MTR Corporation to ensure full co-operation from the engineering perspective.
The MTR Corporation commenced the SCL works since July 2012. So far, due to the suspension of works, re-arrangement of works schedule and sequence, modification of construction methods and implementation of protective measures for the sake of the archaeological work, the MTR Corporation estimates there has been a cumulative delay of at least 11 months to the relevant construction works, inducing additional construction and other costs of the order of $3.1 billion.
According to the entrustment agreement with the MTR Corporation, the commissioning target date for the Tai Wai to Hung Hom section of the SCL is December 2018, while that for the Hung Hom to Admiralty section is December 2020. In view of the current development, these target dates may have to be adjusted. We will further discuss with the MTR Corporation.
As the Secretary for Development has just said, the Government had briefed members of the Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) just then on the conservation proposals, including in-situ preservation for most structures and remnants of the Song-Yuan period. The additional project cost induced will be another $1 billion.
Regarding two particular remnants that would have significant impact on the construction of To Kwa Wan Station, that is Well J2 and Adit C, the Government has identified preservation options for the AAB's advice. Three of the options for Well J2 will induce four more months of delay to the SCL project, inducing an additional cost ranging from $800 million to $1.3 billion, depending on which option is chosen.
It is important to reach a decision as soon as possible, because each month's delay will induce an additional project cost of about $250 million, and the progress of the SCL project may be further delayed.
As to the problem of Adit C, depending on the preservation option chosen, there might be additional cost as well. However, we are hopeful that the completion of To Kwa Wan Station will not be affected.
The above-said additional project costs, of course, have not yet included the expenses for the display of archaeological remnants in future.
The Secretary for Development, as the Antiquities Authority, will decide on the conservation arrangement in due course.
The Development Bureau of course will assist us in seeking Legislative Council approval for the necessary additional funding arising from the archaeological conservation.
(To be continued)
Ends/Thursday, November 20, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:45
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