The Highways Department has signed a $2.38 billion contract with Gammon Construction to widen Tolo Highway between Ma Wo and Tai Hang.

The 3.5km road section will be widened from a dual three-lane to a dual four-lane layout to relieve traffic congestion. The contract will create 1,500 jobs during construction.

The works will include providing hard shoulders, building eight vehicular bridges, modifying or demolishing five bridges, environmental mitigation measures, drainage, traffic aids, lighting, landscaping and geotechnical works.

The entire Tolo Highway widening project covers a 5.9km expressway section between the Island House Interchange and Tai Hang. The works for widening a 2.4km road section between the interchange and Ma Wo started in August under a civil engineering contract. Another contract for the traffic control and surveillance system is set for tendering later this year.