The proposed Hong Kong-Zhuhai- Macao Bridge will generate substantial economic benefits, Sarah Liao, Hong Kong secretary for the environment, transport and works, said Friday.

Speaking at the Legislative Council (LegCo) panel on transport Friday, Liao said that progress has been made on the bridge project, its funding arrangement is under study and its impact on the environment will be kept to a minimum.

Experts from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao recommended in their April meeting the northern bridge-cum-tunnel alignment with landings at San Shek Wan on Lantau, Gongbei in Zhuhai and A Perola in Macao.

Mak Chai-kong, Hong Kong director of highways, noted at the panel that the northern alignment will be the most cost-effective among the three alignments proposed. It will also have the least disturbance to the ecology, with the bridge structure in the form of a viaduct.

Liao pledged the possible environmental impact of the bridge project will be assessed in detail, and the construction of the bridge will fully comply with environmental protection laws.

On funding arrangements, Liao said the bridge's advanced work co-ordination group intends to involve private-sector participation in funding and operating the bridge.

She also ruled out the possibility of including rail in the project as the move would not be cost-effective and would lead to a surge in construction costs.

A sum of about 9.72 billion HK dollars (1.2 billion US dollars) has been set aside for the connecting roads, and works are scheduled to start in mid-2007.

Liao said the co-ordination group will submit its report to the central government for consideration next month. At the same time, the environment, transport and works bureau of Hong Kong will seek 26.8 million HK dollars from LegCo for the conceptual design and technical studies of the bridge project. Its construction would begin no sooner than early next year, she added.

Source: Xinhua