Gammon Construction Limited (Gammon) illustrated its devotion in construction technologies and following the principles of sustainable development, while balancing the needs of construction, environment and community in building the West Island Line.

 

West Island Line is the extension of the MTR Island Line connecting Sheung Wan and Kennedy Town. Gammon has been responsible for the construction of running tunnel, Sai Ying Pun Station, Hong Kong University Station, Kennedy Town Station, the entrances, shafts, footbridges, and related facilities. 

 

The railway runs beneath the densely populated areas of Western District. To limit the impact of noise and dusts on local residents, Gammon adopted appropriate measures, for example, using the largest long-arm hydraulic crusher in Hong Kong for the demolition work. In addition, Gammon upgraded existing traffic decks by fitting them with acoustic materials to shield the public from construction noise. This was the largest use of acoustic cover in Hong Kong and Gammon was able to deliver superior levels of noise and dust suppression never before achieved in Hong Kong.

 

Several green measures were also adopted during the construction period. For example, more than 70% of spoil generated by the underground tunneling work was removed via a fully enclosed vertical conveyor belt, from shaft to ground level and a horizontal conveyor belt across a street to a barging point at the seafront to reduce the land traffic. A majority of tunnel spoil were reused in reclamation projects within Hong Kong. In addition, electrically operated equipment has been used to reduce the use of diesel.

 

To protect the hundred-year-old Forbes Street tree walls, Gammon appointed an independent tree specialist to monitor the protection work. During the construction period, Gammon developed temporary support structures that support the tree walls to avoid any adverse impact from the major works. Also, a recharging system has been developed to let groundwater remains within seasonal norms. 

 

Gammon overcame weak geological conditions with advanced ground freezing technique. The largest scale of its kind, WIL marked the third time this method has been applied in railway construction in Hong Kong. Ice ring at -10°C and 1m thick was formed in order to clear the way for the tunnel construction in a safe manner. Gammon also compressed the schedule for dismantling the Grandstair of HKU Haking Wong Building from three months to three days. This was achieved through an innovative cooperation with HKU in implementing the road closure and eliminating the erection and dismantling of substantial temporary steel protective crash deck above live traffic.

 

Recognising that a high proportion of the neighbourhood residents are retirees, Gammon has appointed full-time staff members as Caring Ambassadors. Their duties include helping and guiding those in need across our site entrances and being a familiar face with whom neighbourhood residents can communicate. This measure was introduced by Gammon for the 1st time in Hong Kong and now it has become a requirement for all MTR major projects. 

 

Gammon upholds the principles of sustainable development, and strives to introduce and apply advanced engineering technology to meet the needs of construction, environment and community in order to provide a more efficient, safer and greener way for the increasingly complicated projects. 

 

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For further information please contact:

Candy Chan

Corporate Communications Manager

Tel: + 852 2516 8733

Email: candy.chan@gammonconstruction.com