COMMUTERS using the problem-plagued Tuen Mun Highway face further misery, as highways experts admit widening work is likely to take longer to complete than expected.
Construction was due to finish next July, but Highways Department chief engineer Chan Wai-sun said it was now uncertain when the $510 million job would be completed.
Privately, engineers admit it may be late 1996 or early 1997 before the project ends.
Part of the difficulty is put down to highways experts, who have quietly shelved plans to use explosives to demolish the rock slopes.
Instead, six or seven alternative excavation methods are being considered by the contractors' joint venture, Balfour Beatty-Shui On, and the Highways Department.
But most of these options will entail some redesign of the existing work. They will also have to be approved by highways engineers and possibly the Geotechnical Engineering Office.
Secretary for Works James Blake will want to be kept informed, especially as he is facing pressure from Governor Chris Patten to avoid a repeat of this month's highway closure.
