Quick Repairs Urged As Bridge Parts Drift Away

A senior civil engineer on Wednesday called on the authorities to fix damage to the breakwater structure of an artificial island for the bridge to Macau and Zhuhai before it affects the island's stability.

Photos taken by drones appear to show that large pieces of concrete – known as tetrapods – have been washed away on one side of the island, which was created for the entrance for an underground tunnel to the bridge.

Engineer Ngai Hok-yan said he doesn't think the tetrapods being washed away has caused much of a problem at this point for the island's main structure. But he said before it does become an issue, the authorities should make repairs as soon as possible.

On an RTHK radio programme, Ngai cited figures from the bridge authority as showing that each tetrapod weighs five tonnes, noting that those in use at the Plover Cove Reservoir are heavier.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, which is expected to open some time this year, has been plagued by problems including fatal accidents and faked safety tests.