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noted that, following the commencement ceremony of the
Gordon Wu superhighway, it appeared that phase I of the highway (Shenzhen-Canton) was intended to be completed by 1990. Phase II would reach to Zhuhai and
Macau. Wu appeared to face difficulties in obtaining
accurate traffic projections, but even if the
seemingly optimistic projections were met, S for T
stressed that the current planning for Lok Ma Chau meant that capacity would not be reached until
1992-3. Some members expressed doubts that the
superhighway project would proceed as quickly as
planned and that traffic would reach the expected
levels.
4.
5.
CS said that, since the traffic and political
considerations did not make much difference, the only
reason for not proceeding appeared to be to save
money. Even here, savings would not be large, and expenditure would only be delayed rather than saved
altogether. He therefore favoured proceeding now so as to be ready for any future increases in traffic. He was supported by SA/HE, who felt that there was a
number of imponderable factors which might boost
traffic, such as the way in which traffic might shift
to the west to bypass Shenzhen city, and the possibility that Hong Kong drivers might be able to cross the border more readily in future. He felt that there was little to lose, but more to gain by being
ahead of the game, if phase II of the bridge went
ahead now.
Support for this view came also from SDA, SES and
SLW. PAFS(1) indicated that Finance Branch had no
objections to phase II proceeding now as the costs for it were a small proportion of the costs for the total
project. S for T and others expressed some concern over the possibility of the second bridge lying idle,
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