Dragages Hong Kong Limited today announced it had been awarded the HK$2,752 million contract to construct the Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel.
 
Designed to alleviate Hong Kong’s seasonal flooding problems, drainage tunnels will be built to intercept excess water from the Mid-Levels area and discharge it directly into the sea, thus bypassing the downstream urban areas.
 
The project comprises an 11km long main tunnel from Tai Hang to Pokfulam, with a diameter ranging from 6.25 metres to 7.25 metres. The project also includes the eastern and western portals, 34 intakes and about 8 kilometres of connecting adit tunnels and ancillary works.

 
Dragages will use massive tunnel boring machines (TBMs), many metres below the urban areas of Hong Kong Island, instead of the more traditional methods which require extensive road works.

 
“Dragages has been contributing to the development of Hong Kong’s infrastructure for more than 50 years. These drainage tunnels, which will greatly alleviate flooding in Central, Wanchai and Sheung Wan, are another step in our long history of building essential projects for the people of Hong Kong,” Nicolas Borit, Managing Director of Dragages Hong Kong Limited said.

 
The Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel project is scheduled for completion in 2012.