The proposed elevated bike lane will now be scrapped to save $100 million off the $7.16 billion original budget

The government has taken a heavy pen to environmental and active transport aspects of its pet T4 Trunk Road project, slashing a bike path, pedestrian lifts, noise barriers and beautification features from the project after lawmakers balked at the original $7.16 billion cost.

In new proposals resubmitted to LegCo yesterday, the government has shaved 5% off the project proposal, clearing out a proposed elevated bike lane, a pedestrian lift, beautification works on sitting-out areas around the highway and resorting to “traditional” noise barriers rather than eco-friendly designs.

The elevated bike track was to be a fast river crossing from the Heritage Museum.

Defending the proposals, the government says the slimming down will make no difference to the overall project.

Regarding the slashing of a pedestrian lift attached to the project, the government says “People in need can use the ramp to get on and off the footbridge.”

“As for footbridges, bicycle users can continue to use the two existing bicycle footbridges nearby to cross the Shing Mun River.”

Construction worker wages will also be reduced by a total of $64.2 million, possibly by using imported labour from the mainland.

“The government has all along adhered to the principle of being practical but not flashy in promoting public works projects,” says the revised spending document.

Overall, the government’s plans will reduce the cost to $6.81 billion. Officials have been lobbying hard since the original plans were criticised ahead of a 22 March Finance Committee meeting.

At that point, the government withdrew the funding request to work on reducing the cost.

The T4 project will provide a more direct link connecting West Kowloon and Tsuen Wan with Ma On Shan and Sai Kung, and will solve Sha Tin’s traffic congestion, says the government.

COST CUTTING IN T4 PROJECT

• Surveillance system integration: -$40m
• Using traditional noise barriers: -$120m
• Cancelling elevated bike lane: -$100m
• Cancelling beautification/sitting out areas: -$30m
• Cutting wages for workers: -$64.2
• TOTAL: -$354.2m

(source: government documents)