Extended Hong Kong bridge seawall works just temporary, officials insist

Authorities also confident HK$36 billion boundary-crossing facility built on artificial island to be finished on schedule

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A view of the multi-billion-dollar project in Hong Kong on Tuesday. Photo: Edward Wong

Published: 6:57pm, 28 Mar 2017Updated: 6:57pm, 28 Mar 2017

An extension of reclamation works for two sections of seawall where the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge would pass was only a temporary mitigation measure and would eventually be cleared away, the government insisted.

Authorities were also optimistic the Hong Kong section of the multi-billion-dollar project, including a HK$36 billion boundary-crossing facility built on an artificial island, would be completed on schedule, despite a lawmaker’s concern about the island’s stability.

The Highways Department went into damage control last month after media reports revealed two sections of seawall on the east coast of Chek Lap Kok had moved outwards by up to 10 metres, covering an area of 5,500 square metres.

While the department confirmed such movements, it insisted the matter had been taken care of and denied there was any cover-up.

On Thursday, project manager Albert Lee Wai-bun led 20 lawmakers and the media in a three-hour site visit.

Lawmakers visiting the Hong Kong site on Tuesday. Photo: Edward Wong

He explained the additional reclamation was in fact a “temporary rockfill platform” to strengthen the seawall. After the seawall’s movements in 2014, the platform was enlarged.