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SOME of the world's biggest construction and design firms are among seven consortiums shortlisted to tender for the $3.5 billion Ting Kau bridge project, a key part of Route 3 between Tsing Yi and the New Territories.

  Companies bidding include Gammon and Costain, who are building the Tsing Ma suspension bridge, and Leighton Contractors (Asia), which is also working on several airport core programme contracts.

  The bridge will span the Rambler Channel and provide a three-lane, dual-carriageway link from the Lantau fixed crossing north to the Tai Lam tunnel, part of the Country Park section of Route 3.

   The scheme is one of the biggest design-and-build projects to go ahead in Hong Kong, leading contractors to speculate that whether it succeeds will determine whether the design-and-build concept catches on in the territory.

  ''It appears that the Government favours design-and-build as one of the ways around the huge 'underspends' which have characterised the works branch for the last couple of years,'' said an engineering source.

  ''This is because it does not have to rely on consultants to do the design work. Instead, the design and construction is done as a package by the winning group.

  ''Consequently, government can push schemes out to tender faster.''   Another source said: ''The Government may favour design-and-build, especially as the June 1997 handover draws closer, because much more construction work in China is done as a package.

  ''Consequently it is something the Chinese authorities understand.''   Another advantage is that design-and-build encourages more economical forms of construction because the design consultant, being part of the construction team, can work more closely with the contractor and identify possible savings.

  While the initial costs may be higher for contractors because they have to pay the fees of their design consultants, there are generally better profit margins associated with design-and-build projects.

  Tenders are due to be submitted in May, ready for a construction start early next year.

  Completion is scheduled for June 1997, which has led some contractors to worry about what happens if the scheme is delayed.

  ''There is considerable concern among groups in the way any delay could jeopardise them being paid, although it is not so critical as to stop firms bidding,'' said one contractor.

  The pre-qualified groups are:    Downer (Australian-Hong Kong), Cubiertas (Spanish), Entrecanales (Spanish), Ed Zublin (German), Shanghai Construction Co 3, Binnie and Partners (British-local).

   Campenon Bernard (French), Balfour Beatty (British-Hong Kong), Bilfinger and Berger (German), Franki Contractors (Hong Kong), Mott MacDonald (British-Hong Kong), Ove Arup (British Hong Kong).

   Kumagai Gumi (Japanese-Hong Kong), Leighton Contractors Asia (Australian-Hong Kong), China Road and Bridge, Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick and Partners (British-Hong Kong).

   Spie Batignolles (French), Costain (British-Hong Kong), Maeda (Japanese-Hong Kong), China State Engineering and Construction Corp, Rendel Palmer and Tritton (British Hong Kong), Robert Benaim and Partners (British-Hong Kong).

   Dragages (Spanish), Nishimatsu (Japanese-Hong Kong), Gammon (Hong Kong), Maunsell Consultants Asia (British-Hong Kong).

   Paul Y (Hong Kong), China Rail, Halcrow Asia Partnership (British-Hong Kong).

   Cleveland Bridge (British), Acer Consultants Far East (British-Hong Kong).



World giants will compete for $3.5b Ting Kau bridge