Dragages Hong Kong and Bouygues Travaux Publics will build four sections of tunnel with a total length of just under 2km. They will form part of a 6km extension of the rail link.
To cope with the complex geological conditions, two different types of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be used: a slurry TBM and an earth pressure balanced TBM. The work is scheduled to take six years, with completion due in 2020. Some 500 people will be working on-site at peak periods.
The two eastern tunnels, each approximately 540m long, will run from the Shatin to Central Link’s south ventilation building and the new Exhibition station. The two western tunnels, each about 450m long, will be bored between the Fenwick Pier emergency egress point and the existing Admiralty station. Bouygues will also construct the ventilation building.
Philippe Bonnave, deputy chief executive of Bouygues Construction, said: “This latest success further demonstrates our ability to meet technical challenges and carry out very large-scale infrastructure projects.”
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