The SAR risked losing hundreds of billion of dollars over the next 20 years if a planned superhighway network was vetoed by legislators, the transport chief warned yesterday.
Secretary for Transport Nicholas Ng Wing-fui also conceded the Government had to rush to build the Route 10 network because it had to co-ordinate with the Shenzhen Western Corridor cross-border bridge project.
Citing his bureau's estimates, Mr Ng said the superhighway network - which will help logistics and encourage cross-border economic activity - could earn Hong Kong $295 billion in 20 years.
'The economic returns are so huge we should not overlook them,' said Mr Ng, in lobbying legislators at yesterday's transport panel meeting. He said the proposed Shenzhen Western Corridor and Route 10 projects were interdependent.
The proposed $22 billion Route 10, a toll highway scheduled to be completed in 2008, could provide a link to the Shenzhen Western Corridor and Deep Bay Link in Yeung Long.
But most panellists remained unconvinced and asked for more time to study the projects in view of the huge investment.