XN000022-1995-03-29 — Page 90

(d)

- 66

-

the opportunity will be taken to re-tender the Container Terminal 9 project in view of the exclusion of the duplicate Tsing Yi South Bridge from the scope of the project?

Answer:

Mr President,

My replies to the question are, seriatim:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

the Administration has absolutely no intention of shelving Container Terminal No. 9;

the Administration had originally intended to entrust the construction of the duplicate South Tsing Yi Bridge to the CT9 developers to ensure its timely completion. Given the delay to the CT9 development, and having regard to the urgent need to alleviate traffic congestion and to cater for expected growth in traffic in Tsing Yi, the Administration considers it desirable to proceed with the bridge as a separate public works project. The entrustment arrangement does not directly relate to the land grant. The principal conditions of the draft land grant remain unchanged. The consortium is aware of the Administration's decision;

the Chinese side has been informed of our intention to proceed with the bridge as a public works project;

The exclusion of the bridge from the scope of the project makes no difference to our proposals for the development of CT9, which envisage a private treaty grant.

End/Wednesday, March 29, 1995

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