XN000022-1995-05-09 — Page 17

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Kap Shui Mun Bridge main deck construction to start

Construction of the Kap Shui Mun Bridge has passed the half-way mark and is poised to achieve a major milestone later this month with the start of deck formation work for the main span.

The first segment of the deck, a 500 tonne composite steel and concrete structure, is now scheduled to be lifted into position on May 22.

Excellent progress has been achieved on site during the past few months, said Mr C K Lau, Government Engineer of the Lantau Fixed Crossing Project Management Office of the Highways Department.

"The two concrete side spans on the Ma Wan and Lantau ends were completed in February and March respectively and the two bridge towers have reached their full height of 150 metres," he said.

Mr Lau said the bridge's main span will be formed by 39 prefabricated segments and will rise 45 metres above the water.

The steel frames for these segments are being fabricated off-site in Shekou, China. The first batch of frames for eight segments have been arriving on site since January this year and are being assembled and concrete added at the assembly yard on Lantau.

"The first bridge segment was completed yesterday and the stay cables for holding the bridge segments in position are now being installed at the two towers.

"The segments will be barged out to the Kap Shui Mun Channel from Lantau, lifted by a crane and connected at the bridge deck level," he said.

The main span will be crected segment by segment. Each segment is bolted to the next and held in position by a pair of stay cables connected to the upper section of the bridge towers. These cables are then secured to the side spans by a second pair of slay cables.

Mr Lau pointed out that the construction of the main span would take about 11 months. During this period the Kap Shui Mun Channel will be closed for one day a week to facilitate works. The marine traffic will be diverted to Ma Wan Channel

instead.