2015-12-07 HKT 13:23
Jack So says the third runway project need not wait for legal challenges to end. Photo: RTHK
There is no need to wait for court challenges against the controversial third runway project to play out before starting construction, a top airport official said on Monday. At least three judicial reviews have been filed against the building of an extra runway at Hong Kong International Airport.
But Jack So, chairman of the Airport Authority, said: "I am afraid challenges may come at any time. We cannot forever wait for the last challenge to be satisfied".
"Unless the court orders an injunction, it would be lawful for us to proceed," he added.
So was speaking after 21 banks signed a pact with the authority offering a HK$5 billion revolving credit. Some of the money will be used on the preparation and designs of the third runway project.
So also said it was unreasonable to halt HK$141 billion project simply because of cost overruns and delays incurred by other large infrastructure projects.
He stressed that an extra runway is urgently needed as the current airport is becoming more and more saturated and reiterated the project’s design is practical and not a fanciful one that will require a lot of variations that will add to the cost.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1228115-20151207.htm
