Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link
Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong
Project synopsis
Alternative design for a new 9km marine viaduct and strategic overview of reclamation
Contractor
Gammon Construction
End client
Hong Kong Highways Department
The scheme is for a dual two‐lane marine viaduct structure of approximately 1.6km long, connecting the Northern shore of Lantau with the new reclamation of the Hong Kong Border Crossing Facility. The viaduct forms part of the Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link (TMCLKL) ‐ Southern Connection Viaduct Section.
Tony Gee provided an alternative design for the marine section of the viaduct. Stretching across the water, this section of the viaduct contains the project’s key architectural concept known as the ‘Seagull’. It utilises Y-shaped piers that supports the haunched segments to produce a neat and smooth transition.
Several elements of the alternative design saved on significant material quantities. Both the segment length and depth was standardised, which saved more than 500 tonnes of bulkhead piece steel. The overall reduction of the superstructure volume from the original design diminished the quantity of substructures required, saving four 2.5m large diameter bored piles and up to 50% reinforcement for pile caps, amounting to a total reduction of more than 1,500 tonnes of rebar.
There are a total of 11 main spans, ranging from 66m to 200m long, the longest of which is used for a shipping navigation channel. The precast segmental bridge was erected predominantly by either balanced cantilever method or end-span erection by launching gantry. With the precast segments ranging from 3.2m high to 11.2m, one of the major concerns was the limitation of segment weight for safe heavy lifting. Various methods were implemented as a result, including late cast (also known as second-cast) of certain parts of segments. Different erection equipment was also adopted including launching gantry, lifting frame and traveling hanger beam to erect the balanced cantilevers and end spans.
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