No Safety Issues With Bridge, Say HK Officials

The Hong Kong government on Monday assured the public that there are no safety problems with the multi-billion dollar bridge linking the SAR with the mainland.

Highways Director Daniel Chung said there is no evidence to show that breakwater concrete blocks placed around an artificial island as a part of the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai Bridge have drifted away.

Media reports have showed reinforced concrete blocks scattered randomly, raising concerns about the safety of the construction. Engineering experts have also called for an explanation from the mainland authorities, who are building the project.

Chung said on Monday that he and his colleagues conducted a site visit on Sunday, and went inside the bridge tunnel leading to the island.

The mainland officials also briefed them on the design on the island. Chung said he has also looked at the blueprint of the structure, and found its present condition has not changed from the original design.

The managing authority, comprising officials from the three governments, had earlier said the blocks were specially designed to be submerged in a “random manner”.

Chung explained that this is a technical term used worldwide, and the blocks were placed randomly, but at a regular density of at least 14 pieces within a 25-square-metre area.

He added that the safety standard of the structure is designed to withstand what's described as "once-in-three-centuries" strong wind and waves. He added that the authority will conduct regular inspections and is prepared to make amendments if they see any irregularities

The controversial bridge project, which has been plagued by cost overruns and delays, is scheduled to open by end this year.