Transport Bureau (DSAT) Coordination Department Chief Mok Soi Tou summarised this year’s roadworks progress during a press conference at the bureau yesterday, and noted that there are still 177 planned projects for this year that have still not got off the ground, accounting for 49 percent of this year’s roadworks.
According to Mok, until November 30 there were 363 applications for roadwork projects for this year, and 114 roadworks had been completed, eight of which were large-scale construction projects, while there were 72 undergoing projects. He pointed out within the 177 roadworks that have still not started, 20 are large-scale projects. He acknowledged that the roadworks execution rate this year is low.
Mok noted that within the first 11 months, 505 roadwork projects had been completed which is 622 fewer than last year. However, he was quick to add that this year 118 roadwork projects were merged, which reduced the total construction period by 1,100 working days. He said that some of the projects had not been completed because of issues involving design, coordination and construction material. He pointed out that the projects will be postponed to next year.
When talking about next year’s planned roadwork projects, Mok said that his bureau has received 288 applications for the roadworks, which is 21 percent less than this year, while there will be 61 large-scale roadworks happening in the city’s main thoroughfares, which is 11 percent more than this year.
Mok pointed out that a rainwater culvert installation project will take place along Rua do Almirante Sérgio, Rua do Dr Lourenço Pereira Marques and Rua das Lorchas, which is expected to be completed in about 720 days.
Mok also pointed out that major roadworks the bureau will start working on next year include several flyover projects connecting the peninsula and the Zone A land reclamation area, an elevated walkway connecting the public housing estate on Avenida de Venceslau de Morais and Avenida do Nordeste, an underground tunnel project connecting the Zone A and B land reclamation areas, and a flood prevention project in the Inner Harbour area.
According to Mok, as there will be an increasing number of roadworks next year, he hoped that residents will show understanding. He added that the bureau will strive to optimise the efficiency of roadwork projects next year.
Transport Bureau (DSAT) Coordination Department Chief Mok Soi Tou addresses yesterday’s press conference about the city’s roadwork projects, at the bureau’s headquarters. Photo courtesy of TDM
