Construction tenders are likely to be invited next year for the 1.6km Tai Lam Chung tunnel, part of the southern section of the controversial Route 10 highway in Hong Kong’s north-west New Territories.
This comes as highways officials reaffirmed their commitment to go-ahead with the first stages of the highway even though local lawmakers voted against providing cash in early March for the detailed design of the second stage (T&TI April 2002, p7). It was assumed that the entire Route 10 project would be mothballed.
But squashing these suggestions, Director of Highways, Lo Yiu-ching, said the southern section would go-ahead as planned.
This involves construction of the US$705M Tsing Lung bridge and the US$834M section of Route 10 between Tsing Lung Tau and So Kwun Wat where it would connect with the northern section.
Tenders for the Tsing Tung Tau-So Kwun Wat would be invited next year in time for construction to start in 2004 for completion in 2008. This section includes construction of the 1.6km Tai Lam Chung tunnel which will be built as part of the main 4km three-lane dual carriagway Route 10 highway.
Mr Lo said the continuing go-ahead for the southern seciton of Route 10 secures detailed design and later construction supervision work being done by design firms.
“Consultants employed to undertake the detailed design of the southern section are continuing with their assignments to enable construction to be completed by 2008. Funding for the detailed design of the Route 10 southern section between So Kwun Wat and Lantau was approved by the finance committee in December 1999,” he said.
Mott Connell in joint venture with Scott Wilson is designing the Tsing Tung Tau-So Kwun Wat section, including the Tai Lam Chung tunnel.
Despite the March vote by legislators, the Transport Bureau has vowed to press on with the 4.5km northern section of Route 10, which will be built mostly in tunnel, and plans to make a second funding application soon.
