Delays in Tuen Mun - Chek Lap Kok Link cost additional HK$1b

The completion of the Tuen Mun - Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) has been delayed due to unsatisfactory progress, with associated prolongation and disruption costs exceeding HK$1 billion, an audit report revealed.

The southern and northern connection of the TM-CLKL works contracts of the HK$46.7 billion mega project faced delays due to unsatisfactory progress in the land reclamation work of the Hong Kong Port, a reclaimed artificial island. 

This resulted in additional costs totaling HK$1,006.4 million and extensions of work time of 813 and 586 days, respectively.

Since October 2014, the lateral movement of the sea wall has prevented contractors from proceeding with the reclamation of the Hong Kong Port as planned, leading to substantial modifications costing HK$7,927 million with progress hindered on both connections of the TM-CLKL.

As of August this year, the projected expenditure had reached 90 percent of the government's approved budget.

Safety concerns were also raised in the report, highlighting two fatal accidents in two of the eight works contracts of the mega project, while seven contracts also reported 173 non-fatal incidents.

The audit report suggested that the Highways Department enhances project management planning by ensuring the timely handover of work sites, careful verification of tender documents, better coordination with all related parties on interfacing works, and enhanced safety measures at construction sites.