2
Bearing in mind the time required for design and
other preparatory works, including gazetting procedures, land
resumption and clearance, preparation, assessment and award
of tenders or proposals to build, and possibly to operate the
tunnel, and mobilisation by the selected contractors or
consortium, the earliest construction is likely to start is
in the early summer of 1988, just over one year from now.
The tunnel will be completed in 1992.
Building a
Advice from
tunnel of this magnitude is a very complex task.
our consultants is that it is unlikely that the construction
period can be significantly shortened.
The
On the Sha Tin side, relatively little clearance is
necessary, with only about 60 people being displaced.
clearance at the Diamond Hill end will, however, involve
moving about 16,000 people. To reduce disruption to the
minimum, removal of those affected will be phased to fit in
with the construction programme. The first phase will take
place in the latter half of this year so that preparatory
works can start to allow commencement of the construction of
the tunnel itself in early summer 1988. Further phases of
clearance will follow later to allow the construction of the
approach roads. Compensation and rehousing will be provided
to those affected in accordance with normal policy.