On the other hand, there is a disadvantage in this project, as the cost is higher than the previous budget because of the obstruction. In 2010, Tung Chung residents proposed a successful judicial review to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that had a direct impact to the project. They questioned the authorities on the construction of the bridge had made sub-standard environmental impact assessment report and don’t have all-round assessment of the impact on air quality and the affect to public health.
The delay of building the bridge lead to the sharply increased in the construction costs in recent years, for example, the construction workers, wages, prices of construction materials and machinery are raised. Lack of time is a big problem since the construction of the bridge need to complete on time but the project are delay for a year so that need to pay more money to employ more worker.
Compare to the original cost in 2008, after the financial tsunami, the cost of building the bridge is in a lower level but with the inflation, the cost is increased about 16%. From $304 billion to $353 billion, it has increased around 50 billion. But it is not a very accurate number, as there are 10% of the construction haven’t tendered to any contractors. The budget of these 10% work is about $30 billion.
Moreover, the pollution to the environment is quite serious, as the EIA report refers to the western waters of Hong Kong airport has two important dolphin active areas, including sandbar, Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park and Tai O. The construction and operation of Hong Kong will directly lead to the marine terminal habitat loss and become a potential impact that affect water quality. As for the project of Tuen Mun to Chek Lap Kok , it will also lead forty-seven hectares of ocean, coral and fisheries permanent disappearance.