Tunnel solution eases congestion and preserves environment

As trade between Hong Kong and Mainland China increased, the Lok Ma Chau KCRC Spur Line was proposed to alleviate congestion at the popular Lo Wu border crossing. The proposed route lays across the environmentally sensitive Long Valley, a heritage agriculture and wetland site.

To protect the area, the decision was made to tunnel beneath it, using an Earth Pressure Balanced Tunnel Boring Machine (EPBTBM). The challenge for Dragages was how to tunnel safely under marshland and rice fields.

By adopting the special tunnelling methods, the environmentally-sensitive Long Valley was preserved and the wetlands remained an important habitat home to rare bird and fish species.