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Lam Ka-sing

Hong Kong lawmakers have accused the government of poorly managing the construction of the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link, which went 12 per cent over budget to the tune of HK$3.9 billion (US$501 million) and was completed two years behind schedule.
The road link connecting the airport, northwest New Territories and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge opened in 2020, and carried a HK$36.6 billion price tag.
An additional HK$5.5 billion was needed for other expenditure, Luk Chung−hung, a member of Legco′s Public Accounts Committee, revealed on Wednesday.
Although the final figure remained below the HK$46.7 billion in approved funding, the committee expressed deep concern over the government’s management of costs.
“The Public Accounts Committee, on this issue, believes that it is not ideal that [the government] … made use of other provisions,” Luk said.
He cited significant discrepancies in material estimates for reclamation work under a contract awarded in 2013 for the northern connection sub-sea tunnel section.
Luk urged the government to better supervise project spending and improve planning and design, noting additional costs of HK$115 million and HK$50 million due to material and piling issues respectively.


Committee chairman Peter Shiu Ka-fai emphasised the need for stricter adherence to original resource allocations during project implementation. He also highlighted the use of price adjustment provisions to cover unforeseen expenses, with five of the eight contracts under the project exceeding their original amounts.
The committee also raised concerns about the government’s supervision of works consultants and contractors, particularly regarding errors in material estimate and tender document preparation. It recommended that departments seek legal advice and consider claims against consultants for possible negligence or breach of contract.
The committee also noted that some of the consultants and contractors, whose performance had been rated as poor or even very poor by the Highways Department, could still be awarded government work over the next three years under the existing tender evaluation mechanism, Shiu added.
“The committee strongly considers that it is necessary for the authorities to review the existing tender evaluation mechanism for public works projects, increase the weighting of past performance of tenderers and consider adding a blacklist mechanism,” he said.
Committee member Louis Loong Hon-biu noted the knock-on effects of delays in one contract, which added more than 100 days to two other projects and increased costs by HK$1.6 billion.
Lawmaker Eunice Yung Hoi-yan suggested involving contractors at an earlier stage and reducing interfaces between them to improve integration and meet completion timelines.
An October 2024 report from the Audit Commission further highlighted issues such as cost overruns, delays, unsatisfactory reclamation work and design problems with the link.
The report noted that “unsatisfactory” reclamation work caused delays in site handover, while lateral movements of the Hong Kong Port sea wall disrupted subsequent construction activities.
Contracts A and B experienced delays of 26.7 months and 19.3 months respectively, with associated costs reaching an estimated HK$8 billion. Contract A involved the construction of a viaduct for the southern connection.
The commission recommended improvements in project management, including better vetting of tender documents and enhanced coordination among parties. It also suggested monitoring new technologies and digital tools to enhance site investigation works.
The report acknowledged the significant increase in traffic once the link opened but noted persistent staffing shortfalls, urging a review of manpower levels for operational efficiency.
In response to the criticisms, Luk said the government had adopted a parallel tendering procedure to provide more accurate cost estimates, moving away from the previous lowest-bidder-wins approach.
Referring to the previous approach, he said: “We will not see as much of that, I believe in future, but I think there is something to learn here.”


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Lawmakers slam HK$3.9 billion cost overrun, 2-year delay for Hong Kong tunnel

The Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link at Tuen Mun. The road link connecting the airport, northwest New Territories and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge opened in 2020, and carried a HK$36.6 billion price tag. Photo: Winson Wong

Poor reclamation work in Hong Kong project caused HK$1 billion in extra costs: auditor

The report found contractors failed to accurately estimate the amount of reclamation work before the project started. Photo: Getty Images

The northern and southern parts of the road, which are both connected to the city’s port, were assigned to different contractors. Photo: Winson Wong

Hong Kong’s new Tuen Mun-Lantau link launched by city leader Carrie Lam from top of double-decker bus

Officials participate in an inauguration ceremony for the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link a day before its scheduled opening for public use. Photo: Winson Wong

(L to R)Director of Highways Jimmy Chan Pai-ming, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the Commissioner for Transport Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, and Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan, attend the opening ceremony for Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link Northern Connection at the North Portal of the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Tunnel.26DEC20 SCMP/ Jonathan Wong

News

Hong Kong

Transport

Legco Public Accounts Committee members call on government to control project costs and management of contractors


Legco Public Accounts Committee members call on government to control project costs and management of contractors.


Macau

Lawmakers slam HK$3.9 billion cost overrun, 2-year delay for Hong Kong tunnel

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Legco Public Accounts Committee members call on government to control project costs and management of contractors

Legco Public Accounts Committee members call on government to control project costs and management of contractors