Hong Kong commissions west drainage tunnel
29 August 2012Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel (HKWDT) has been commissioned, revealed HK Drainage Services Department (DSD) last week. The tunnel aims to significantly alleviate the flooding risk in areas including Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay.
The USD 3.4bn project, which commenced in November 2007, comprises an 11km-long main tunnel extending from Tai Hang to Cyberport, adits measuring 8km in total length, and 34 intakes at ground level.
Carrie Lam, the chief secretary for administration, said at the commissioning ceremony: "The largest flood prevention project of the DSD, the HKWDT's main drainage tunnel is the longest in Hong Kong and the largest in diameter. The tunnel can effectively intercept about 30 per cent of the stormwater in northern Hong Kong Island for discharge into the sea off Cyberport, bringing the flood protection level of the drainage system in northern Hong Kong Island to new heights."
Co-officiating at the ceremony, Paul Chan, the secretary for development added: "The DSD has made remarkable achievements in the past 20 years in formulating flood prevention strategies and implementing related works. Taking the latest land development plan and various factors such as climate change into consideration, the department is now reviewing the drainage master plans throughout the territory in phases in order to identify further improvement works."
