The approved project estimate in November 2011 for the facilities was US$3.025 billion. The newly announced increase is mainly because the tender prices and estimated tender prices for the works contracts awarded or due to be awarded are now higher, said the government. It attributes this to factors such as a surge in wage levels of construction workers, prices of construction materials and machinery in recent years.
The reclamation contract for the boundary crossing facilities is due for completion in February 2016, with the passenger clearance building and western infrastructure works due to be finished by the end of 2016. The traffic control and surveillance system will have phased completion with completion by the end of 2017, according to yesterday's update, but does not need not be in place for the bridge to open. The bridge is targeted to open in 2016.
