1 Tunnel excavation for Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel project starts
Hong Kong Government, 6 March 2009

The Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel project has reached a milestone with the launch of its first tunnel boring machine, "Oshin".

Speaking at the tunnel boring machine launching ceremony today (March 6), the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Lau Ka-keung, said the $3 billion project would raise the overall flood protection level of the drainage system on northern Hong Kong Island. 

The 11 kilometre-long Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel extends from Tai Hang to Cyberport. Thirty-four intakes will be constructed in Wan Chai and Central and Western Districts to intercept and convey the run-off in mid-hill for discharge into the sea near Cyberport.  This will alleviate the flooding problem in the areas downstream.

"The construction sites are situated within the hub of the city and close to residential and commercial districts.  This presents great challenges with the construction works.  To shorten the construction period with a view to reducing construction nuisance to the public, the contractor is required under the contract to deploy two tunnel boring machines to carry out the tunnel construction simultaneously," Mr Lau said.

The first tunnel boring machine to be used for construction of the west tunnel at Cyberport has a diameter of 8m and is 170m long.  Its operation is highly automated.  The launching of the second tunnel boring machine for the east tunnel at Tai Hang is expected to take place in mid-2009. 

"The project is now hiring about 400 workers.  It is expected that the project will provide about 1,000 job opportunities when construction activities reach their peak levels. The DSD will continue to push ahead with infrastructural and minor works projects to ease the pressure in the employment market."

The Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel project is part of a comprehensive drainage improvement programme to solve the flooding problem on northern Hong Kong Island.  The intercepting drains along Queen’s Road Central were completed last June, and a stormwater pumping station at the waterfront in Sheung Wan will be completed by the end of this month, before the 2009 rainy season.  These measures will alleviate the flood risk in the Sheung Wan low-lying area. Upon completion of the Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel in 2012, flood protection on northern Hong Kong Island will be substantially improved.

2 Full steam ahead for Kai Tak cruise terminal project
Hong Kong Government, 6 March 2009

The Government was pressing ahead with preparatory work for the construction of a new cruise terminal at Kai Tak, a spokesman for the Tourism Commission said today (March 6).

“To expedite the construction process, we are working simultaneously to prepare for the invitation of tenders for two works contracts - the site formation works contract and the cruise terminal building works contract.

“We hope that by adopting this dual-track approach, the construction lead time can be shortened,” the spokesman said.

He said the Government would seek funding approval from the Legislative Council later this year for carrying out the site formation works. It is expected that works can begin before the end of the year.

The spokesman said the Government was inviting prequalification applications for the design and build of the cruise terminal building.

Application details, including the eligibility criteria for applicants, are laid out in the tenderer prequalification notice published in the Government Gazette today. Qualified applicants can obtain the relevant application documents from the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) and submit their applications on or before March 31.

“After closing of the prequalification exercise, the ArchSD will prequalify four suitable candidates to participate in the design and build contract tender exercise,” the spokesman said.

He said the Government’s target was to begin operation of the first berth by mid-2013.