Launching Ceremony of Hong Kong’s two 14-metre diameter gigantic tunnel boring machines (TBMs), Victoria and Rhea was held on 9 November, 2021. This was one of the major milestones for the Trunk Road T2 and Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel. More than 100 guests attended the event, including Ms. Mable CHAN, Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Transport), Mr. Vincent NG, Chairman of Harbourfront Commission, management of Bouygues Travaux Publics and Dragages Hong Kong, working partners and our project team members.

Victoria and Rhea will bore twin subsea tunnels each 2.4km, after having proved their value in the world-class Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Tunnel project, on which they achieved Hong Kong’s first double TBM breakthrough, and during which several innovations were made to overcome complex geotechnical conditions and high water pressure.

The two TBMs are equipped with accessible cutter heads, another Hong Kong first, after refurbishment in Mainland China and upgrading by the project team. Workers under pressure at depth will now be able to change the disc-cutters at the cutting edge with even more stable and safe conditions.

Mr. Wes Jones, the Head of Hong Kong Branch, Bouygues Travaux Publics said: “We are delighted to be working with the Civil Engineering and Development Department again on this vital piece of infrastructure for Hong Kong. As usual, we are determined on this project to help the industry push forward with innovative solutions that achieve our collective safety, quality and efficiency objectives.”

Trunk Road T2 and Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel form the middle section of Route 6, which will cut travelling time between West Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O from 65 minutes to just 12 minutes. Construction completion is anticipated in 2026. Trunk Road T2 and Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel connects the Central Kowloon Route in the west to the main tunnel of the Tseung Kwan O – Lam Tin Tunnel in the east.