Highways Dept Defends Alternative Design for Central Kowloon Route Tunnel
RTHK · 3 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Online footage has sparked public concern over construction methods at the Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Route, showing steel reinforcement bars not fully screwed into screw caps during concrete pouring. The Highways Department confirmed the contractor used an approved alternative design to address narrow working conditions and complex steel bar installation challenges. The department emphasized that the modified approach, which includes drilling holes for additional reinforcement and a stirrup-free design, met all engineering requirements and underwent multiple layers of verification before implementation. The tunnel section opened at the end of last year and remains structurally sound according to routine monitoring.
Key Points
- A video circulating online shows the Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Route under construction in November 2024, with multiple steel reinforcement bars appearing not to be screwed into embedded screw caps
- The contractor and site engineers determined that original design specifications were impractical due to narrow working environments and dense steel bar configurations at certain locations
- The alternative design involves drilling holes and inserting supplementary steel bars at suitable positions, along with adopting a stirrup-free structural approach for portions of the tunnel road surface
- The modified approach received approval from independent checking engineers, site engineers, and underwent inspections before concrete pouring was authorized
- The Highways Department's engineering team and engineering audit group conducted record checks and site inspections to ensure the alternative arrangement was properly authorized and implemented
Why It Matters
This incident underscores the importance of transparent communication between government departments and the public regarding infrastructure construction methods. The Highways Department's multi-layered supervision mechanism demonstrates how engineering challenges can be addressed while maintaining structural safety standards. As Hong Kong continues expanding its road network, clear explanations of construction decisions help maintain public confidence in the safety and quality of major infrastructure projects.
This incident underscores the importance of transparent communication between government departments and the public regarding infrastructure construction methods. The Highways Department's multi-layered supervision mechanism demonstrates how engineering challenges can be addressed while maintaining structural safety standards. As Hong Kong continues expanding its road network, clear explanations of construction decisions help maintain public confidence in the safety and quality of major infrastructure projects.