On one of Hong Kong’s most challenging recent tunnelling projects, Link 200 (a joint venture comprising Leighton Contractors (Asia) Ltd, Balfou
r Beatty, Kumagai and John Holland Construction Pty Ltd) have once again seen the benefits of hiring specialist equipment from Pigott Shaft Drilling Limited (PSD). The UK based solids separation specialist has over the last 16 months provided Link 200 with a 1350m
3/hr Slurry Treatment Plant (STP) operating up to 24 hours per day in support of their 8.05m diameter tunnelling operation.
The client recorded
less than 1% non availability of the STP to the tunnelling operation over the full duration of the project. The plant was operated by specially trained local labour, overseen by a PSD supervisor.
The tunnelling works were part of Contract KDB200 of the Kowloon Southern Link for Mass Transit Rail Corporation (MTRC) and involved the construction of West Kowloon Station and Tunnels from Jordan Road to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station.
The project involved 2,300m of tunnelling using a Herrenknecht 8.05m diameter slurry TBM, mainly through fresh to moderately decomposed granite with some sections of completely decomposed granite, alluvium and marine deposits.