One of the most challenging tunnelling projects ever carried out by Kvaerner Construction has been completed in Hong Kong by a joint venture between two of its companies.
Tunnelling specialist, Kvaerner Cementation, and Hong Kong-based company, Gammon Construction, have finished constructing more than five kilometres of tunnels which are almost two metres wide in some places.
Speaking at a ceremony on the island to mark the completion of tunnelling, Kvaerner Construction’s chief executive, Keith Clarke, said: “The tunnels had to be driven through reclaimed land which had been formed at different periods and involved penetrating historic sea walls, piers and jetties. This was made even more technically challenging because of the dense and congested traffic systems above the tunnels and the unexpected obstacles such as concrete reinforcing and discarded washing machines hidden in the ground.”
Working in joint venture for the island’s Drainage Service Department, the two companies constructed 41 tunnels, three excavated trench sections of sewer and 45 manholes, all to depths of up to 16 metres to form the new Central Western and Wanchai West Sewerage system.
Trenchless pipe jacking technology was used to drive the 41 tunnels while the three trench sections are traditional cut and cover tunnels. All are between 1.2 metres and 1.8 metres in diameter and stretch from Kennedy Town to Wanchai.
The £40 million (HK£500m) contract, which had a workforce of more than 300 at its peak, is due to be completed in the summer.
A Kvaerner Cementation/ Gammon Construction joint venture is also constructing two more tunnels on Hong Kong for the Drainage Services Department linking Kwun Tong with Tokwawan and Tokwowan with Stone Cutters Island.
These Strategic Sewerage Disposal System tunnels have a total length of almost nine kilometres; are up to 3.5 metres in diameter; and are being bored at depths of up to 150 metres. They are due for completion next year.
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