Fine design: Secretary for Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao inspects a model of Hong Kong's fourth boundary crossing.

A $2.188-billion contract has been awarded to Gammon-Skanska-MBEC Joint Venture for building the Shenzhen Western Corridor Hong Kong Section, which will be completed by 2006.

The new cross-boundary link is expected to bring a net economic benefit of $175 billion over the 20 year planning horizon from 2000 to 2020.

To mark the construction of the new link, Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan, Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua and Shenzhen Party Secretary Huang Liman will jointly officiate at a foundation-stone laying ceremony in Shenzhen this Thursday (August 28).

The five-kilometre-long Shenzhen Western Corridor is a dual three-lane expressway spanning Deep Bay, linking Ngau Hom Shek in Hong Kong and Shekou in Shenzhen.

The Hong Kong section will run for 3.2 kilometres, while the remaining 1.8 kilometres will be built by the Shenzhen government.

The new link will be a landmark for the Pearl River Delta, and a symbol of close collaboration and partnership between the two jurisdictions.

It will help alleviate traffic at the nearly saturated existing vehicular boundary crossings at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok, and boost further economic development, particularly in the areas of finance, logistics and tourism.

It will also strengthen Hong Kong's position as the hub of the delta region.

Turning to the design, the towers on the cable-stayed bridge are inclined towards each other and symbolise the two regions' desire to build a synergistic relationship for greater prosperity.

Wind tunnel tests have been conducted to verify the aerodynamic performance of the bridge.

Since Deep Bay is an ecologically important area with extensive inter-tidal mudflats in close proximity to the Mai Po Nature Reserve Area, Hong Kong and Shenzhen will implement joint environmental monitoring and audit to preserve the ecological value of the area throughout the implementation of the project.

Mitigation measures, such as the use of closed-grab dredgers for sediment dredging, installation of a cofferdam and silt curtain, and building of a temporary bridge and working platform above the mudflat will be adopted to maintain the area's water quality and the environment.

A water channel is being dredged to abate the impact of degrading sedimentation on Mai Po Nature Reserve. Upon completion, the channel will improve the water exchange capacity and enhance the feeding grounds for Mai Po's birds.

Mangroves will also be replanted under the bridge upon completion.