The Tseung Kwan O Lam Tin Tunnel, estimated to cost more than HK$15 billion, was expected to be completed in 2021, but the project has been affected by “social events” and the new crown pneumonia epidemic and will not be completed as planned.
The latest document submitted by the Transport Department to the Sai Kung District Council points out that the Tunnel and related connection works have been affected by “social events” in the middle of last year, including the blocking of construction vehicles, which failed to deliver the required materials to the site and complete the concrete pouring as planned. Workers were also delayed due to road blockages and MTR services and were unable to go to work.
In addition, since late January of this year, work has been affected by the Covid-19 virus epidemic. Many mainland construction workers have not returned to the prefabricated component factory worksite in China as scheduled to resume work. Site workers and workers who have travelled to and from the Mainland have also had to undergo mandatory quarantine after returning to Hong Kong. Together with the Lunar New Year, the supply of sand and gravel from the Mainland to Hong Kong has not been restored, resulting in a shortage of raw materials.
Therefore, taking into account all the above factors the progress of the project has been delayed. Consequently completion of the project will be postponed to the middle of 2022 based on the information currently available. The delay will also affect the completion of associated works on the new bay bridge.
In last year’s Government Policy Address it was stated that the toll of the new tunnel and Tseung Kwan O Tunnel will be waived after it is opened.
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