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Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
Hong KongHong Kong Economy

Hong Kong to pay HK$2.36 billion share of mega bridge project’s HK$11.7 billion cost overrun

Remainder to come from Zhuhai, Macau and borrowing by mainland bridge authority

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Part of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province. Photo: Xinhua
Danny Mok

Hongkongers will need to pay HK$2.36 billion to cover the city’s share of the cost overrun in the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau mega bridge, the government said on Wednesday.

The figure had been awaited by the community and the legislature since the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Authority – the mainland body overseeing the project – reported a 10 billion yuan (HK$11.8 billion) budget overrun for the main bridge to the Hong Kong government last month. This was about one-third over the original budget.

Hong Kong’s Transport and Housing Bureau said on Wednesday that the latest project estimate for the main bridge approved by the Ministry of Transport was 48.068 billion yuan, meaning the cost overrun was about 9.95 billion yuan (HK$11.7 billion).

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Under construction: the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge in Zhuhai. Photo: Edward Wong
Under construction: the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge in Zhuhai. Photo: Edward Wong

In accordance with the new estimate, the bureau said, the three sides would have to contribute to a capital cost of about 4.6 billion yuan, with Hong Kong putting in two billion yuan (HK$2.36 billion).

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The contribution will be reported to the Legislative Council when the final amount and the relevant arrangement are confirmed. The council’s approval will be sought for the funding.

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