Construction contractors are in the process of being shortlisted for the construction of the 1.2km long dual three-lane Nam Wan tunnel, part of Hong Kong’s US$1.8bn Route 9 project that runs west to east from Tsing Yi to Sha Tin.
Robert Lloyd, Highways Department project manager for major works, confirmed that firms would be chosen ready for tenders to be invited in August. "The contract award is due in February 2003," he said.
He was speaking after mainland Chinese contractor, China Harbour Engineering, signed a lucrative US$197M contract for the first section of Route 9 to go ahead, the 2.2km Ngong Shuen Chau viaduct.
Both the Nam Wan tunnel and the viaduct are part of the US$950M Tsing Yi-Cheung Sha Wan section of Route 9 that has been designed by engineering consultant Ove Arup & Partners (Hong Kong).
Outlining the other road tunnel projects on the scheme, Mr Lloyd said contractors are about to be invited to prequalify for the 1km long, dual three-lane Sha Tin Heights tunnel and 600m length of tunnel approach. Tenders for the scheme, which also includes site formation works for a toll plaza, are scheduled to be called next month.
He added that tenders would be called next March (2003) for the 2.1km long, dual three-lane Eagle’s Nest tunnel and the 500m stretch of approach tunnel. But to kick start the scheme, bids for advance works at the tunnel’s western portal would be invited considerably earlier, as T&TI went to press, in June 2002.
"By October 2002 we hope to let three contracts of which the Sha Tin Heights tunnel will be the largest," Mr Lloyd confirmed.
The Sha Tin Heights and Eagle’s Nest tunnels form most of the US$872M section that runs between Cheung Sha Wan and Sha Tin. These two sections have been designed by a JV made up of Maunsell Consultants and Hyder Consulting.
