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When the units had been cast, the quarry basin was flooded and the units floated out to sea and towed to temporary moorings at Tseung Kwan O in preparation for the operation to lower them onto the seabed in the harbour.
Tomorrow's operation will begin in the morning when the last unit is towed out to the harbour from Tseung Kwan O.
The six-lane tunnel is expected to carry more than 75,000 vehicles a day when it opens. Its maximum capacity will be 180,000, far greater than that of the first two cross-harbour tunnels, which are four-lane only.
Following completion of the immersed tube, work will continue on electrical and mechanical installations, including ventilation, lighting, communications, utilities, control and surveillance systems. Work on extension to the approach roads, interchange, toll plaza and the administration building will also be continuing.
Nishimatsu Kumagai Joint Venture is building the tunnel for the Western Harbour Tunnel Company Limited under a 30-year "build, operate and transfer" franchise agreement with the Government.
End
Kam Tin Bypass EIA Report released
The report of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study on Kam Tin Bypass is now available.
The study was carried out on the Government's proposal to construct Kam Tin Bypass, a new route of about 1.3 kilometres running to the north of Kam Tin Town and connecting Kam Tin Road at the east and west of the Town. The proposed road will be a dual two-lane carriageway with provision of footpaths and cycle tracks.
The EIA Study which was carried out in June 1995 aimed to identify the potential environmental impacts and to recommend mitigation measures for the chosen design.
Completed in March, the Study recommends a series of mitigation measures for impacts including noise, visual, ecological, air and water quality to be anticipated during the construction and operational phases of the bypass.