New route 10 years in the planning
1999 Government proposes building bypass to ease traffic congestion
2002 Administration gazettes plan for bypass with Wan Chai North outline zoning plan for public consultation. Plan involves reclamation of 26 hectares in Wan Chai North
2003 Harbour protection society seeks judicial review against decisions of Town Planning Board, which approved bypass plan
2004 Court of Final Appeal rules that harbour reclamation must satisfy overriding public need test. Government sets up Harbourfront Enhancement Committee to oversee all works projects along waterfront
2007 Government, with help of expert panel, says there is not a feasible 'no reclamation' option for building bypass, while working to reduce scope of reclamation
2008 Court of First Instance rules on judicial review, sought again by harbour protection society, that government has failed to prove that temporary reclamation for bypass project has overriding public need. Administration forced to further reduce temporary reclamation size at Causeway Bay typhoon shelter from 10.7 hectares to 8.3 hectares. Permanent reclamation cut to 12.7 hectares from 26.
Yesterday Government says work to start by end of year
