The Corporation of Hamilton will need to spend almost $2 million more than originally estimated to improve the city's docks, a meeting heard yesterday.

Councillor Dennis Tucker, chairman of the finance committee, said a feasibility study projected that the work would cost about $4.8 million — $1.8 million more than expected.

He said further costs could be incurred, meaning the final total was likely to be closer to $5 million.

The figure includes $1.5 million the municipality will pay towards the cost of an X-ray machine to scan shipping containers for drugs and guns, with Government providing the same amount.

The new security system will scan each truck and container as it passes through the port, in a bid to eradicate smuggling.

It requires the redrawing of the entry and exit points at the docks, as well as the removal of Number Seven Shed.

The Corporation will spend $1.5 million on more efficient lighting at the Front Street docks.

City engineer Patrick Cooper said he understood HM Customs was finalising the contract with the X-ray supplier this week.

"The project is moving ahead very quickly," he said, adding that the municipality had applied for a demolition notice for Number Seven Shed.

Ed Benevides, the Corporation's chief operating officer, told The Royal Gazette after the meeting: "We had budgeted about $3 million and already had that approved.

"We had a feasibility study completed by a company called Associated Engineering and it looks like it's going to be another $1.8 million.

"We have to remove the old sewage pumping station, do some realignment and there are a number of structural things happening. We are going to rearrange the docks, including relocating the refrigerated units."

He said the Corporation was still waiting to get reports on the estimated geotechnical and power costs. "When we get those we will have more refined numbers," he added.

Mr. Benevides said Government wanted the new scanner system up and running before the end of the year.