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Atkins China pushes plan to reclaim harbourfront
1. Atkins China pushes plan to reclaim harbourfront
Atkins China is on course to invite contractors to prequalify next February for
the $3.5 billion third phase of the Central reclamation scheme planned by the
Territory Development Department (TDD). The scheme will be the first reclamation
project to go ahead in Victoria Harbour for what will be more than five years.
John Newby, Atkins China divisional director, confirmed that once companies had
applied to bid, a shortlist of firms would be prepared ready for tenders to be
called in April. Construction is set to start next August with completion in 2007.
The contract includes reclamation, construction of seawalls, a ground level road
and the diversion of existing utilities. Atkins China, working with partners Babtie
BMT Harris & Sutherland which is responsible for marine works, and Atkins China
company, Faithful & Gould, as quantity surveyor, was appointed by the TDD to carry
out detailed design and supervise construction. Plans call for the reclamation
of 18 hectares of harbourfront in a concave shape between the outlying island
ferry piers in Central and close to the convention centre extension in Wan Chai.
The project means that the Star Ferry and other terminals serving Discovery Bay
and Tsim Sha Tsui East, together with Queen's Pier, will be demolished and relocated.
The TDD hopes to mitigate what it expects to be adverse reaction to these plans
with the creation of a public park along the waterfront that could include bars,
restaurants and other leisure facilities. The reclamation will provide space for
a civic square that will connect with the waterfront promenade. Underground, the
new land will provide space for the Central-Wan Chai bypass, overrun tunnels for
the MTRC's Airport Railway and space for its North Island line. The third phase
of the reclamation has been delayed for several years after the government faced
a storm of protest against its infill proposals. This opposition led to the harbour
protection ordinance being passed by legislators in June 1997. As a result, officials
had to slash the size of the reclamation by almost half - from 32 hectares to
18 hectares - and give much greater justification for the project. [Source:
HK iMail, 6 October 2001] |  |
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