Deep tunnels in granite at 143 m below MSL running beneath Kai Tak airport and Mong Kok. First 3.3 m-diameter and 3.5 km, second at 4.3 m-diameter and 5.5 km out to Stonecutters Island treatment plant. Contracting jv of Kvaerner Cementation and Gammon Construction for Hong Kong Drainage Services Department. Two year duration, $77 million value. March 1998. Cifa reports that it has supplied to the Strategic Sewer Disposal Scheme (SSDS) a 70 m-long collapsible full round formwork composed of 14 telescopic sections, each 5 m long, together with a traveller to transport sections from rear to front for resetting. The formwork will be utilised for both the 3.58 km-long x 2.36 m-diameter transfer tunnel F and the 778 m-long x 2.21 transfer tunnel G from Kwai Chung to Stonecutters Island at a depth below sea level of 130 m. Concreting work is ongoing using 7 cu m agitator cars supplied from a hopper at shaft bottom. More from www.cifa.com May 2000.   Four options under consideration for $2 billion next stage include deep tunnel system between North Point and Central, which may go ahead early using shielded TBMs. Visit www.info.gov.hk/dsd/l/proj 08/01.  The Drainage Services Department (DSD) has invited ten consultants to express interest for the procurement options study for the $26 billion harbour area treatment scheme. They are Babtie Asia; Camp Dresser & McKee International; CH2M Hill (China); Faithful & Gould; Maunsell Consultants Asia; Mott Connell; Mouchel Asia; Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong; Parsons Brinckerhoff Asia; and Scott Wilson. Four options. First is the construction of tunnels along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island from North Point and from Ap Lei Chau via Pok Fu Lam to Central, linking to a new tunnel across the harbour to the existing Stonecutters Island plant. Second is the construction of tunnels from North Point via Central and Ap Lei Chau to a new treatment works at Lamma quarry. Third is a tunnel from North Point via Central to the Stonecutters Island treatment plant and an independent network of pipelines from Ap Lei Chau to a treatment works at Sandy Bay, near Pok Fu Lam, for discharge via a diffuser system. Fourth is a tunnel from Central to a treatment plant at North Point to discharge into the harbour, and a separate pipeline system between Ap Lei Chau and Sandy Bay for treatment and discharge. About four shortlisted firms will be invited to tender by year-end. A successful consultant will be appointed early next year to investigate possible design, build and operate concessions, and prepare schematic designs, costs estimates and an implementation programme for the four alternatives. All studies and trials expected to be completed in 2004. Visit www.info.gov.hk/dsd 49/01.The Drainage Services Department will build three tunnels at a cost of HKD3.91 billion to relieve flooding on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Preliminary design is under way and tunnel alignments should be decided in mid-2005. First tunnel is Hong Kong west drainage tunnel, 10.3 km in length. Cost estimated at HKD1.8 billion. HKD11.93 million ground investigation by Geotechnics & Concrete Engineering. Visit www.gce.com.hkSecond tunnel is the 5.35 km Tsuen Wan drainage tunnel. Cost estimated at HKD1.06 billion. Third tunnel is the 4.2 km Lai Chi Kok transfer scheme. Cost estimated at the HKD1.05 billion. HKD3.9 million contract for ground investigation surveys by Vibro. Visit www.vibro.com.hkThe bulk of construction will start in 2007. Completion scheduled by 2011. Visit www.dsd.gov.hk 21/04.The four shortlisted engineering consultants to carry out the preliminary detailed design of the first of three drainage tunnels planned by the Drainage Services Department (DSD) are Ove Arup & Partners, Black & Veatch, Maunsell Consultants Asia and Mott Connell. The 10.3 km drainage tunnel is planned for the western side of Hong Kong Island. The DSD plans to award the contract in December. The successful firm will prepare designs for the tunnel that will be about 35% complete. The remaining tunnel design and construction will be left to the successful design and build contractor. As part of the assignment the consultant will be responsible for preparing a shortlist of contractors who will be invited to bid for the design and construct contract. The consultant will also supervise construction which is expected to start in 2007 for completion in 2011. The tunnel, which will vary between 6.25 m and 7.25 m in diameter, will connect Tai Hang with an area near Telegraph Bay on the western side of Hong Kong Island. The scheme also includes adits totalling 7.5 km and 35 intake shafts. The HKD2.17 billion tunnel is the first of four drainage tunnels costing a total of HKD4.22 billion that are intended to relieve flooding on Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon district. The DSD is also preparing a shortlist of consultants who will be invited to tender for the preliminary design of the second scheme, a HKD1.06 billion project for two tunnels in Kowloon. One involves a 3.7 km-long 4.9 m-diameter connection between the west Kowloon reclamation and the Lai Chi Kok and Sham Shui Po districts of Kowloon, while the other involves a 2.8 km, 3 m-diameter transfer tunnel connecting several reservoirs in Kowloon. The Lai Chi Kok tunnel will have 10 shafts, about 350 m of adits and an outfall structure. Read E-News Weekly 35/2004 & 28/2004.Consultants were also asked to apply by 25th October, 2005 to express interest in the third scheme, a HKD900 million, 5.1 km, 6.5 m-diameter drainage tunnel in the Tsuen Wan area of Kowloon. Visit www.dsd.gov.hk and www.cleanharbour.gov.hk 48/05.The Drainage Services Department has awarded a HKD49.8 million consultancy contract to the Metcalf & Eddy / Maunsell joint venture to investigate, design and construct Stage 2A of the sewage conveyance system of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS). Upon completion in 2013-14, the HATS Stage 2A sewage conveyance system will improve the water quality in Victoria Harbour. With the system in place, sewage will be conveyed to Stonecutters Island sewage treatment station for chemically enhanced primary treatment and disinfection before discharging. Most of the 20 km-long sewage conveyance system will be designed to be deep underground, some at depths of more than 130 m. Click cn/19. Read more in E-News Weekly 35/2004 & 28/2004. Visit www.dsd.gov.hk/home/index.htm, www.cleanharbour.gov.hk, www.m-e.aecom.com and www.maunsell.com 06/06.Invitation to tender, deadline 29th December, 2006 for design and construction of the Tsuen Wan drainage tunnel (contract DC/2007/12). It includes approximately a 5.1 km-long main drainage tunnel in Tsuen Wan with internal diameter of 6.5 m and associated works which comprise intake/outfall structures, drop shafts, de-aeration chambers, adits connecting the de-aeration chambers to the main tunnel, and slope stabilization works associated with the intake/outfall structures. The works are scheduled to commence in August 2007 for completion in August 2011. Contact Terry Chung, tel. +852 28285858, fax +852 28271823, e-mail terry.chung@mottconnell.com.hk or visit www.dsd.gov.hk/whats_new/current_tenders/index_UID_1129.htm 49/06.Invitation to tender, deadline 22nd December, 2006 for ground investigation works for sewage conveyance system, contract B (DC/2006/20), as part of Stage 2A of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS). The works include ground investigation at the Hong Kong Island, the Victoria Harbour, the East Lamma Channel and the Stonecutters Island and laboratory testing of soil and rock samples obtained from the investigation works. The works also include the condition survey of existing structures on the Hong Kong Island and on the Stonecutters Island. The works are scheduled to commence in February 2007 for completion in September 2008. Read E-News Weekly 49/2006, 35/2004 & 28/2004. Contact Freddie Chan, tel. +852 26856418, fax +852 26912649, e-mail freddie.chan@maunsell.aecom.com or visit http://www.dsd.gov.hk/whats_new/current_tenders/index_UID_1133.htm 49/06.Maunsell Consultants Asia is inviting contractors, deadline 22nd June, 2007 to prequalify on behalf of the Drainage Services Department for the design and construction of the Lai Chi Kok water transfer scheme (contract No. DC/2007/16). Work involves the construction of a 3.7 km drainage tunnel under west Kowloon. The tunnel will have an internal diameter of 4.9 m. Work also includes associated structures such as intake structures, drop shafts, 180 m-long adits connecting the drop shafts to the tunnel, a stilling basin, an outfall structure and slope stabilisation works associated with the intake structures. Work is due to start in March 2008 for completion in December 2011. Contact Keith Tsang, tel. +852 26856523, fax +852 26912649, e-mail keith.tsang@maunsell.aecom.com or visit www.dsd.gov.hk/whats_new/current_tenders/index_UID_1173.htm 21/07.The contract for construction of the 10.3 km Hong Kong west drainage tunnel has been awarded on 23rd November, 2007 by the Drainage Services Department (DSD) to a Dragages-Nishimatsu joint venture. The contract value is HKD2.75 billion. The successful tenderer offered the lowest bid. The tunnel will vary in diameter between 6.25 m and 7.25 m and run from Tai Hang to north of Telegraph Bay on the western side of Hong Kong Island. Geology is mainly hard rock. The scheme also includes 2.3 m-diameter adits totalling 7.5 km and 35 intermediate intakes with drop shafts. The diameter of the shafts ranges from 1.2 m to 2.3 m and the depth ranges from 30 m to 190 m. Probably two TBMs (one from each portal) will be used, together with conventional excavator, explosives, etc. The tunnel will be lined. As this is a design and build contract, the detailed design will be submitted by the contractor. The design and construction stage consultant is Arup. Mucking-out will be performed by lorry at the eastern portal and by barge at the western portal. Visit www.dsd.gov.hk/home/index.htm, www.dragageshongkong.com, www.nishimatsu.co.jp/eng and www.arup.com 49/07.The Drainage Services Department has awarded on 4th December, 2007 the construction of the 5 km Tsuen Wan drainage tunnel in Kowloon to a group of companies formed by Maeda Corporation, China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) and SELI. The commencement date of the works of the contract will be on 28th December, 2007. The main tunnel is 5.13 km long and 6.5 m internal diameter and there will also be two adits, 45 m and 19 m in length and 4.6 m and 5.5 m internal diameter respectively, three intake structures and two intakes with drop shafts. The diameter of the shafts is 5 m and 5.5 m respectively. The tunnel will be driven mainly in hard rock by a TBM. Visit www.maeda.co.jp/english/outline_e.html, www.crecg.com and www.selitunnel.com or www.selitecnologie.com 52/07-01/08.Invitation for prequalification, deadline 27th June, 2008 for two construction contracts (contracts No. DC/2007/23 and No. DC/2007/24), which form part of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A. The two contracts involve the construction of a total of about 19.5 km of sewage tunnels with excavated spans between 4 metres and 5.5 metres and shafts with various sizes, depths and configurations to provide access for construction, sewage conveyance and connection to the treatment works. The tunnels are to be constructed mainly in granitic and volcanic rock at depths up to 165 metres below sea level using the drill-and-blast method. Construction works are expected to commence in early 2009 for completion by middle of 2013. Tenders for the two contracts will be invited from prequalified applicants in September 2008. Details of the prequalification are available at www.dsd.gov.hk/whats_new/current_tenders/index.htm. Contact Mr. Keith Tsang, Deputy project manager, tel. +852 26856523, fax +852 26912649, e-mail keith.tsang@maunsell.aecom.com 20/08.Invitation for prequalification, deadline 19th September, 2008 for construction contracts No. DC/2007/23 and No. DC/2007/24, which form part of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A. This is a new prequalification invitation, not an extension of deadline of the previous one published in May. The new prequalification invitation has relaxed some of the criteria compared with the previous one. The Drainage Services Department (DSD) hopes to attract more interested contractors. The two contracts involve the construction of a total of about 19.5 km of sewage tunnels with excavated spans between 4 metres and 5.5 metres and shafts with various sizes, depths and configurations to provide access for construction, sewage conveyance and connection to the treatment works. The tunnels are to be constructed mainly in granitic and volcanic rock at depths up to 165 metres below sea level using the drill-and-blast method. Construction works are expected to commence in early 2009 for completion by middle of 2013. Tenders for the two contracts will be invited from prequalified applicants in September 2008. Details of the prequalification are available at www.dsd.gov.hk/whats_new/current_tenders/index.htm. Contact Mr. Keith Tsang, Deputy project manager, tel. +852 26856523, fax +852 26912649, e-mail keith.tsang@maunsell.aecom.com 34-35/08.The Tsuen Wan drainage tunnel is a single drive tunnel 5.1 km long sloping with an average of 0.95%. The tunnel cut diameter is 7.27 m segmentally lined with a minimum operational internal diameterof 6.5 m. The HKD1.123 billion contract is a design and build contract awarded to Maeda Corporation, China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) and SELI. The tunnel requires the construction of an intake cascade (Intake I-1), two shaft / chamber / adit complexes (Intakes I-2 and I-3), and a cascade structure (Outfall O-1). The project also includes construction of surface elements such as stream diversions, an outfall cascade, tunnel portal works, access roads and ramps, and slope stabilisation. The tunnel will be excavated dominantly in high-density, extremely strong and abrasive, fresh rocks, including crystal ash tuffs of the Tsuen Wan volcanic group, the Tai Po granodiorite, and a variety of cross-cutting dykes, including basalt, rhyolite, fine-grained granite, and quartz. The very high strength and abrasivity of these rocks, and the presence of zones of blocky and closely-jointed rock, will yield difficult conditions for TBM boreability and mechanical excavation. The tunnel will encounter a number of faults and fault zones (F1 to F6 and P1 to P7), and three contact zones between tuff and granodiorite. Of particular importance is Fault F1 near Intake I-1, which consists of approximately 300 m width of blocky and highly fractured rock, and enclosing a zone of mixed soil and rock approximately 85 m wide. Much of the alignment passes below extensive side-slope terrain flanking the Tai Mo Shan highlands. The weathering profile is typically 15 m thick. The water table lies near rockhead, with locally artesian or depressed conditions, and sudden high-pressure inflows will occur in the absence of effective ground treatment. Pre-excavation grouting will be required over much of the tunnel length to meet the specified groundwater control criteria.TBM and back-up delivery is scheduled for September 2008. The excavation will be performed with SELI's double shield universal (DSU) TBM. The TBM, back-up and rolling stock are designed and manufactured by SELI. The back-up train continuously towed by the TBM comprises a set of rolling decks carrying all the support equipment, among which a dust suppression device fabricated by Flakts for SELI. Click here to know more (in Italian).There will be only one excavation face. Tunnel lining is precast reinforced concrete segments, 250 mm thick with 6.5 m intrados diameter. Annulus gap will be filled with pea-gravel and grouted on a second phase. The mucking system comprises a 5,300 m-long 800 mm-wide continuous belt conveyor designed and manufactured by Marti Technik. The belt will be powered by 420 kW at five driving spots (head drive, three boosters and tail drive) due to the tight curves along the tunnel path. A compact belt storage in front of the portal will provide a belt reserve of 400 metres. A 30 m stacker conveyor will feed a 850 cu m silo. Visit www.selitunnel.com, www.flaktwoods.com and www.martitechnik.ch 36/08.The construction contract for the EUR133 million Lai Chi Kok Transfer Scheme, advertised at tunnelbuilder.com earlier this year, has been awarded to Leighton Asia. The project includes two 4.9 m-diameter storm water drainage tunnels with total length of 3.7 km between West Kowloon reclamation and Lai Chi Kok and Sham Shui Po districts, six intake shafts, a stilling basin, an outfall adit into Victoria Harbour, and 270 m of 3 m-diameter connection adits. Work starts immediately for completion in 2012. Click for full press release. More from Quinnie Lee, tel +852 2823 1427, e-mail quinnie.lee@leightonasia.com 47/08.