Shatin to Central Link (SCL) Island Section’s first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Athena was launched on the 29^th of March 2016 at the former Police Officers’ Club work site, which marked the first major milestone for the SCL Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter to Admirality Tunnels – Contract No. 1128 (SCL 1128) project. DBJV (a joint venture of Dragages Hong Kong and Bouygues Travaux Publics) will employ Athena and other TBMs to construct the Eastern and Western Tunnels which will run beneath the city’s busiest districts.

Government officials from Highways Department and Home Affairs Department, Wan Chai District Council chairman and two representatives from MTR Corporation (MTRC) officiated the ceremony, together with Nicolas Borit (Managing Director of Dragages Hong Kong) and Alain Hervio (Project Director of Dragages Hong Kong).

Through close collaboration between Highways Department, MTRC, DBJV project team and Herrenknecht, the team attained remarkable achievements in terms of design, manufacturing, delivery and assembly of this Slurry TBM. Athena was assembled within one and a half month, one of the fastest assembly records in Hong Kong.

This project is to be delivered not only through innovative solutions but also the highest safety standards and stakeholders’ engagement. In 2015, the project achieved one million hours’ work without reportable accident – an award presented by MTRC. Throughout the project, our team has been working closely with District Council members and our neighbouring stakeholders such as the Yacht Club, Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter users, Central Wanchai Bypass project and Wanchai Development project to keep them abreast of project developments.

“Dragages has been working with MTR in building this wide-reaching public transport system since 1970s. Recently, we completed West Island Line Contract No. 703 and Express Rail Link Contract Nos. 820 & 821 with great success. SCL 1128 is a combination of these projects in terms of technical know-how and complexity,” said Nicolas Borit, Managing Director of Dragages Hong Kong. “With some of the best tunnelling experts from round the world on board, I am confident that our project teams will upkeep the momentum, continue to work hand in hand with MTR, Highways and our partners to overcome challenges and to deliver this new strategic link to the community.”