-
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1975
GIANT VALVE LAID IN HIGH ISLAND TUNNEL SYSTEM
******
ONE OF THE LARGEST PIECES OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT IN THE 25-MILE TUNNEL SYSTEM OF THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME HAS JUST BEEN INSTALLED AT THE PAK TAM CHUNG PIPELINE CROSSING ABOUT TWO MILES EAST OF TAI MONG TSAI IN THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA.
THE MECHANISM IS A GIANT CIRCULAR VALVE MORE THAN NINE FEET IN DIAMETER. IT WAS LOWERED INTO POSITION RECENTLY WITH THE AID OF TWO POWERFUL CRANES.
A WATERWORKS OFFICE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED TODAY THAT AT PAK TAM CHUNG THE TUNNEL SYSTEM HAS TO PASS UNDER A STREAM AND A 1,000-FT, SECTION OF 112-INCH DIAMETER PIPELINE IS USED TO MAKE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO ENDS OF TUNNEL ON EITHER SIDE. TIE PURPOSE OF THE VALVE WILL BE TO ENABLE THE PIPELINE SECTION TO BE CLOSED OFF FOR INSPECTION.
IN THE COURSE OF NEXT YEAR THIS SECTION OF TUNNEL AND PIPELINE COULD BE CARRYING SOME OF THE FIRST WATER INTO THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR.
MOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING THE VALVE BEING
LOWERED INTO POSITION WILL BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION AT GIS LATER TODAY.
/2