Anger as bill for Central-Wan Chai Bypass goes up HK$8b to HK$36b
Lawmakers hit out at government's 'staggering' demand for more cash to cover unexpected costs of controversial Central-Wan Chai project
A "staggering" government request for almost HK$8 billion in extra funding for a controversial road scheme has shocked lawmakers, who fear that the HK$36 billion bill will grow even further.
The Transport and Housing Bureau is seeking the extra cash for the Central-Wan Chai Bypass and its link to the Island East Corridor. In a paper for the Legislative Council's transport panel, the bureau cites unexpected costs related to tunnel building and higher-than-anticipated increases in labour and material prices as the reasons it needs an extra HK$7.93 billion.
The panel will discuss the request - an increase of more than 28 per cent on the original HK$28 billion bill - on Friday.
Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Tang Ka-piu, a member of the panel, said he was shocked by the request.
"It is staggering that the government is asking for so much more," he said. "The project won't be finished for a few years. I am concerned the bureau will come again and ask for more money in the future."
Panel vice-chairman Gary Fan Kwok-wai asked: "Did the government deliberately underestimate the cost in order to get Legco to pass it?"