(11-27 12:58)
The cost of expanding Terminal Two to complement the construction of a third runway at the airport has increased almost 75 percent to HK$16.5 billion, according to latest estimates from the Airport Authority.
The latest cost projection from 2014 is up from an estimate of HK$9.5 billion in 2010.
In papers submitted to the legislature, the authority said it had considered retaining the existing structure. But the terminal, currently used only for passenger departure, needs to be expanded to provide arrival and transfer services when the new runway starts operating.
Critics say expanding Terminal Two – which cost HK$2.8 billion to build – is a waste of public money since it has only been in use for eight years.
The Authority also revealed that reclamation works related to the third runway is now expected to cost HK$56 billion, up more than 50 percent compared to the 2010 forecast.
The controversial third runway project – at HK$141 billion – is one of the most expensive infrastructure projects in the history of Hong Kong.
—AP
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