The government plans to kick-start the Central-Wanchai Bypass and Central reclamation project before next summer, effectively creating more than 10,000 jobs, Secretary for Development Carrie Lam said yesterday.

Announcing the news at a meeting of the Legislative Council's Panel on Development, Lam said the government is striving to push forward with economic development and create job opportunities amid the financial turmoil, and beginning work on infrastructure projects is a step in the right direction.

The reintroduction of the Central-Wanchai Bypass and Central Reclamation Phase III project, which have been delayed by legal challenges, would be very helpful to the current economic environment, she noted.

The 10,000 jobs that the projects are going to create "are very important to the job market of local construction workers", she said.

Lam said that with the Legislative Council's approval, the government will try to start the projects before next summer.

The total cost of the projects is HK$37.2 billion, including HK$2.2 billion in engineering works.The engineering works are protective additions to the bypass, including walls and top slabs.

Including the bypass and reclamation projects, Lam said, all the infrastructure works approved by the council this year will cost more than HK$100 billion.

"This is a very encouraging figure," Lam said.

However, some legislators were concerned that the planned construction works may be clouded by further judicial reviews.

Lam admitted that the judicial reviews could delay some work, such as the drafts for the Wan Chai North and North Point outline zoning plans.

Nonetheless, she expressed confidence in a smooth implementation of the projects.

(HK Edition 11/26/2008 page1)