09 Jan 2008
2008 will be a busy year for Stonecutters Bridge in Hong Kong. Two 4000-tonne heavy lifts of steel deck sections were successfully installed around each of the bridge’s towers in June and November last year, along with installation of the first stay cables .
In the latest development, contractor Maeda - Hitachi - Yokogawa - Hsin Chong Joint Venture (MHYHJV), winched the first main-span twin-deck segment, weighing 550 tonnes, smoothly into place on 19 December 2007. The main span segments, each 18m long and 53m wide, will continue to be lifted directly from a delivery barge in the Rambler Channel, gradually extending the deck cantilevers out from each side of the bridge. This will result in the two cantilevers meeting in the middle for main span closure, scheduled for the end of 2008.
The bridge was designed by Arup and once completed will become the world’s second longest spanning cable-stayed bridge, with a main span of 1018m. This is 128m longer than the existing record-holder in Japan, and the bridge will provide a landmark gateway to one of the world’s busiest and most vibrant trade centres.
The 1.6km long crossing will be the centre-piece of the new Route 8 strategic link, a 7.6km long dual three-lane expressway linking Cheung Sha Wan and Tsing Yi Island. The route will improve access between the International Airport and the urban areas of West Kowloon, as well as providing enhanced links to the container port - one of the busiest in the world.
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