Shatin to Central Link cross-harbour railway tunnel in Hong Kong

Abstract

The Shatin to Central Link is a new 17 km long railway that will connect the three existing railway lines in Hong Kong to enhance connectivity of the railway network. The project includes 12 major civil construction contracts, and construction commenced in 2012. Contract 1121 involves construction of a new Immersed Tube Tunnel, and this 1.7-km long immersed tube tunnel section is the fourth railway link crossing the Harbour. This cross-harbour tunnel section was procured through a design-and-build contract arrangement with early contractor involvement. When completed, the new tunnel section will extend the East Rail Line across the Harbour to a new station in Wan Chai North, terminating at the existing Admiralty Station. A total of 11 immersed tube tunnel elements were cast at the existing Shek O casting basin located in the south-east part of Hong Kong Island. The towing out and immersion operations for this new tunnel were commenced in June 2017 and successfully completed in April 2018. Connection of the immersed tube tunnel elements is complete and rail track installation and electrical and mechanical works inside the tunnel are now underway. This paper discusses the planning and construction of this latest immersed tube tunnel in Hong Kong SAR from the reference design stage to successful completion of the construction.