Black Hill Tunnels, Tsueng Kwan O Extension project

The Black Hill Tunnels project was an integral part of the Tsueng Kwan O Extension project, part of an expansion of the existing Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system in Hong Kong, linking east Kowloon to the new town of Tseung Kwan O with the city’s existing MTR system.

Halcrow was appointed as the detailed design consultant by the Dumez-GTM-Chun Wo JV, the consortium awarded the Contract to design and build the tunnel portion of this vital transport link.

Halcrow was responsible for the detailed design of four 6 m diameter rock tunnels for the main railway line with a total length in excess of 9 km together with associated shafts, adits, central sidings, crossover tunnels and portals.  The tunnels pass under Black Hill between Yau Tong and Tiu Keng Leng stations. Halcrow worked closely in partnership with the Client and the Contractor throughout the project, seeking innovative cost-effective designs for all elements of the scheme.

 Benefits

On completion of the first phase of works, which opened to the public in August 2000, the new MTR line provided a direct link to the new town of Tseung Kwan O and the surrounding area. The new line more than doubled the capacity of the area’s public transport and relieved congestion on the heavily used roads in this area. Thus, not only were journey times significantly reduced but this alternative public transport link allowed the public to choose a more environmentally friendly mode of transport for their daily journeys.

Innovations delivered

Halcrow designed an innovative “egg box” invert drainage system installed in the base of the tunnel to relieve ground water pressure below the invert slab. This was the first time in Hong Kong that this type of drained tunnel lining system was used