All sides of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge will open at the same time, the deputy director of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has stated.
Hu Zucai was asked at a press conference Tuesday morning about whether the Macau and Zhuhai sections would start operating first because they were progressing more quickly than the construction of the Hong Kong portion. The official answered that all sections would definitely open at the same time.
The construction of the HK$36 billion Hong Kong section has been plagued by problems including drifting artificial islands, delays, cost overruns, and worker deaths. The government said the bridge will be completed by the end of next year, but critics have said this is doubtful.
The completion of the Hong Kong section and other areas may be delayed, Hu said, but – on the whole – the project is going smoothly. Experts are currently assessing its progress, he said.
Hu also said that the construction was a world class project, and the technical aspects were difficult. He believed that by working together, the three parties can complete the construction as soon as possible, he said.
Hu did not respond to questions as to whether delays to the operation of the project would affect the goals of China’s 13th five-year plan to increase its high-speed rail network to 30,000 kilometres by 2020, HK01 reported.
