In a surprise move, Hong Kong lawmakers have backed plans to build a 4km dual three-lane road tunnel, part of the controversial US$2.8bn Route 10 highway, although the project still remains in jeopardy.
Legislators had threatened to boycott the Lam Tei tunnel along with a further 500m of highway, which together form the northern section of the 13km Route 10 highway. But members of the public works subcommittee, in a narrow 6 to 4 vote, agreed to recommend that the Highway Department’s funding application for detailed design and construction supervision should be approved by the finance committee.
Some legislators believe the finance committee will reject the move and instead vote against the request. Democratic Party lawmaker and vice chairman of the public works subcommittee, said fellow members, including those belonging to the Liberal Party and some independents remain opposed to Route 10. But he said such opposition was “illogical” and “ridiculous” given that Route 10, especially the northern section, is a part of a wider infrastructure road plan that includes a new bridge to mainland China.
The Highways Department remains cautiously optimistic that funding will be approved. The biggest loss will be to consultants and construction contractors who would benefit from the project receiving the green light. Mott Connell and Scott Wilson are already working on the detailed design of the southern section of Route 10, which includes the Tai Lam Chung tunnels, plus connection Tsing Lung bridge.
The main objection to Route 10 is that it runs close to the existing tolled section of Route 3 which has lost more than US$100M since it opened in 1998. Consequently the Route 3 operator has launched a vociferous campaign to stop Route 10 going ahead.
