http://www.hyd.gov.hk/eng/major/majorworks/sb/images/scb_5.jpg


June 5, 2005
Development

On track to the future



Works on the Route 8 expressway are progressing well with the first segment of the Stonecutter's Bridge steel deck due to be lifted into place by the end of next year.



The 15km route will stretch from Sha Tin to Tsing Yi, and at $15 billion is one of the Highways Department's largest and most challenging projects. In terms of cost and complexity, it is very similar to the roads that were constructed for the new airport on Chek Lap Kok, department Deputy Project Manager (Major Works) David English said.


2 stages

The dual three-lane expressway will be completed in two stages - Stage 1 between Sha Tin and Cheung Sha Wan will open to traffic in mid-2007, while Stage 2 from Cheung Sha Wan to Tsing Yi will be ready by mid-2008.



It is being constructed under seven civil engineering contracts together with a traffic control and surveillance system contract. It will provide full traffic control for the whole route from a centralised control room. The Civil Engineering & Development Department is constructing the vital T3 connecting section of the expressway in Tai Wai under a separate contract.



Mr English said: "On completion of Route 8 we will have erected over 8,000 concrete viaduct segments, all of which have been cast in the Mainland and shipped to Hong Kong and we will have excavated nearly 1.4 million cubic metres of rock, enough to fill Hong Kong's biggest building the International Finance Centre, to build 4km of tunnels."



Alternate route

Writing in the department's latest newsletter, Mr English said the strategic route will offer an alternative for residents in the northeast New Territories to get to the airport and the northwest New Territories, and for container vehicles to access container ports thereby relieving traffic congestion at the Lion Rock and Shing Mun Tunnels, and on Tai Po Road.



He said Stage 1 works, comprising three contracts - the Lai Chi Kok Viaduct, the Eagle's Nest Tunnel and Sha Tin Heights Tunnel - started in November 2002. The department achieved a milestone tunnel breakthrough for the Sha Tin Heights Tunnel, and the breakthrough for the 2km long Eagle's Nest tunnel is forecast for mid-2005.



About 100 pre-cast segments for the Lai Chi Kok Viaduct have already been erected by crane, and full erection is underway, using a 180-metre long gantry that places concrete segments up to 3.5 metres high and weighing up to 100 tonnes each.



On Stage 2, Mr English said works on the 1.2km Nam Wan Tunnel have been running smoothly, and are 55% complete. The first tube breakthrough was achieved in February and the second in May. Works on the tunnel concrete lining are being conducted and installation of lighting and ventilation equipment will start later this year.



"The West Tsing Yi Viaduct is also making good progress, with about 80% of the bridge structures completed and connection with the Cheung Ching Highway near the Tsing Ma Bridge in progress," he added.



Centre showpiece

Mr English said the works contract for Stonecutters Bridge was awarded in May last year and the bridge will be in place by mid-2008.


With a central span of 1,018 metres, the bridge will be one of the longest span cable-stayed bridges in the world, beating Tatara Bridge in Japan, the present record holder, by 130 metres.



"The deck will be suspended by cables from two towers nearly 300 metres in height, the same as Central Plaza in Wan Chai. The top section will be clad in stainless steel, which will be a world first."



Piling for the eastern backspan, comprising four piers and the east tower, has been completed, while piling for the western backspan and west tower is in progress.



The steel wire material for the stay cables is being made in Japan and is ready for delivery to its fabrication yard in Jiangyin in Jiangsu Province. The first segment of the steel deck is now being made in the Shanhaiguan fabrication yard, near the Great Wall's eastern entrance. The fabricated steel will then be shipped to Dongguan for assembly, before being delivered to Hong Kong for erection.



Mr English said the bridge will take four years to build, and the first segment is scheduled to be lifted into place at end-2006.



"The bridge is more than an engineering feat in which our engineers will no doubt take pride. It will also be a defining piece of architecture for Hong Kong and a reflection of the confidence of this world city to rise to the challenges of the new millennium. We look forward to the delivery of this strategically important project in mid-2008."

http://www.info.gov.hk/yearbook/2001/photo/ep08-07.jpg

http://www.arup.com/lighting/images/stonecutters1_416.gif

External lighting design by Arup

http://www.maunsell.aecom.com/media/4217.jpg

http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/stonecutters/images/image1.jpg

looks very gross

if you take KCR towards taiwai station from kln tong you can see overpasses being built over the railway line and the enterance of the tunnel's it's pretty a big project.

The interchange in the picture above is partly completed, around 50%. That was what i saw about 2 months ago, im not sure now.

Any Pics on the construction?

i differ with you there null~

Stonecutters'll be a beauty both night and day!! :cool:

OH yea, the lighting at top of the bridge might be able to change colours like the center.

October 16, 2005
Government Press Release
Steel-concrete towers make bridge unique

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/infrastructureandlogistics/051014/features/html/051012p061jpg.jpg
On track: A bird's-eye view of Stonecutters Bridge's East Tower pile cap

Its steel-concrete towers will make Stonecutters Bridge unique in the world, with the last main span deck to be lifted in the first quarter of 2008, Highways Department Chief Engineer Michael Hui says.

Stonecutters Bridge, straddling Rambler Channel with a main span of 1,018 metres, is a key feature of Route 8 connecting Sha Tin and Tsing Yi. Other features of the 13.6km-long route include three tunnels, with lengths ranging from 1km to 2.1km.

World's longest bridge span

Mr Hui tells news.gov.hk that Route 8 is technically comparable to highway projects under the Airport Core Programme, although it is smaller in scale.

"In terms of road length, projects under the Airport Core Programme reached 34km, while Route 8 is only 13.6km. However, Route 8 includes one long-span cable-stayed bridge, Nam Wan Tunnel, Eagle's Nest Tunnel and Sha Tin Heights Tunnel, making it comparable to the Airport Core Programme which comprises the Lantau Link, Cheung Tsing Tunnel and Western Harbour Crossing.

"When compared with cable-stayed bridges - Ting Kau Bridge and Kap Shui Mun Bridge - in Hong Kong, the construction of Stonecutters Bridge will be more challenging as its main span will measure about 1,018 metres, one of the world's longest."

Mr Hui pointed out Stonecutters Bridge's two circular tapered mono-towers will reach a height of almost 300 metres - only 100 metres lower than Two ifc, the tallest building in Hong Kong. Maintenance gantries will be installed on top of the towers to provide inspection access.

Steel-concrete composite structure

Another unique feature of the bridge towers is their composite structure. The top 118-metre steel 'skin' creates a modern look for the bridge, echoing Hong Kong's unique position as one of the most cosmopolitan and vibrant cities in Asia, Mr Hui said.

Straddling Rambler Channel at the entrance to the busy Kwai Chung Container Port, Stonecutters Bridge will have a clearance height and width of 73.5 metres and 900 metres for the passage of super container vessels. It will use 224 stay cables, weighing 7,000 tonnes, the longest one stretching 540 metres. They will radiate like a fan from the tower to the deck.

To ensure safe and smooth marine traffic during the bridge's construction, Mr Hui said a marine traffic liaison group has been set up with representatives from the contractor, container terminal operators and relevant Government departments.

Smooth marine traffic assured

"The contractor has to make reference to vessel schedules, weather and current before deciding when to lift the bridge decks over Rambler Channel. The first deck will be lifted over the sea in mid-2007. The last deck will be erected in the first quarter of 2008, closing the bridge gap. Each deck will weigh about 500 tonnes."

Taking part in the project for years, Mr Hui said the most challenging event he has experienced so far was the international design competition held in 2000, in which a winning design was chosen as the reference scheme and was developed during the detailed design stage.

"It was the first time the Government held such a contest. Therefore we had to sort out everything ourselves, from poster design to inviting adjudicators. While the work pressure was very heavy, it was a challenging task. After the event, we prepared a design competition memorandum which has become a useful reference within the Government.

"The Mainland has also made reference to Hong Kong and held contests to get the best designs for bridge projects, such as the Sutong Bridge in Jiangsu and the Third Nanjing-Changjiang Bridge," he said.

Another big challenge to come

Mr Hui expected another big challenge in 2008, the moment before the last bridge deck is lifted.

"Unlike vehicular flyovers which are rigid in appearance, cable-stayed bridges are more flexible and will be subject to vibration when the wind blows. As a cantilevering construction method will be deployed, the arms will be built out piece by piece from the bridge towers until the halves meet.

"Therefore, the bridge will be the most flexible before the last bridge deck is erected to connect the arms. This will also be the most critical moment for us. We will devise measures to keep the level of vibration to the minimum."

Works on Stonecutters Bridge, at a cost of $2.76 billion, started in April last year and are scheduled to end in mid-2008.

great update

looks very gross


I agree. There's something that looks weird about cable stayed bridges. Suspension bridges look much more elegant. Maybe this will look better in real life though. It looks very ugly in the renedering.

wow!! it looks HUGE!!

Any updates?

Any updates? Pictures?

Updates?

Update for May,2006 of the Stonecutters Bridge

http://www.arup.com.hk/stonecutters/route9big2.gif
The Location of this bridge




http://www.arup.com.hk/stonecutters/bighkmap.gif
A bigger maps of the bridge's location




http://www.arup.com.hk/stonecutters/bigskyview.gif
Another Skyview of the Bridge plan

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu0.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu2.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/oversubmenu2b.gif

http://www.news.gov.hk/tc/category/infrastructureandlogistics/051014/features/html/051012p062jpg.jpg
A clear side view



http://www.hyd.gov.hk/eng/major/majorworks/sb/doc/hy200226.pdf
A very detail information for the whole project

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu0.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu2.jpg
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge1b.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge2a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge3a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge4a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge5a.jpg
East Back Span
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_01s.jpg06EB51 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_01.jpg) General view
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_02s.jpg06EB52 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_02.jpg) Pier 1E – crosshead falsework
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_03s.jpg06EB53 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_03.jpg) Pier 1E – fixing of reinforcement in progress
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_04s.jpg06EB54 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_04.jpg) Pier 2E – crosshead falsework

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu0.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu2.jpg
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge1a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge2b.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge3a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge4a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge5a.jpg
East Tower
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/et_01s.jpg06ET51 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/et_01.jpg) General view
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/et_02s.jpg06ET52 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/et_02.jpg) General view
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/et_03s.jpg06ET53 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/et_03.jpg) Reinforcement fixing in progress
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/et_04s.jpg06ET54 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/et_04.jpg) Reinforcement fixing in progress

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu0.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu2.jpg
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge1a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge2a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge3b.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge4a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge5a.jpg

Main Span
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ms_01s.jpg06MS51 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ms_01.jpg) Assembly of deck segment in progress
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ms_02s.jpg06MS52 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ms_02.jpg) Fabrication of anchor box in progress
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ms_03s.jpg06MS53 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ms_03.jpg) Fabrication of diaphragm panel in progress
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ms_04s.jpg06MS54 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ms_04.jpg) Fabrication of stainless steel skin in progress

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu0.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu2.jpg
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge1a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge2a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge3a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge4b.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge5a.jpg

West Tower
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wt_01s.jpg06WT51 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wt_01.jpg) General view
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wt_02s.jpg06WT52 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wt_02.jpg) Assembly of exterior tower platform in progress
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wt_03s.jpg06WT53 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wt_03.jpg) Concreting for pile cap completed
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wt_04s.jpg06WT54 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wt_04.jpg) Concreting for pile cap completed

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu0.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu2.jpg
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge1a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge2a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge3a.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge4A.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/bridge5B.jpg

West Back Span
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wbs_01s.jpg06WB51 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wbs_01.jpg) General view
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wbs_02s.jpg06WB52 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wbs_02.jpg) General view
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wbs_03s.jpg06WB53 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wbs_03.jpg) Erection of 3rd layer steel bracing completed
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wbs_04s.jpg06WB54 Screen Size Image (http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wbs_04.jpg) Erection of 3rd layer steel bracing completed

Design Considerations
(a) Design Competition - An international design competition organized by Highways Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was held in 2000. The winning design was highly praised for its aesthetic merits. It is a bold yet simple scheme. The winning design concept was chosen as the Reference Scheme (RS), and further developed during the detailed design stage.

Wind tunnel tests were also carried out to investigate the susceptibility of stay cables to rain-wind induced vibrations and verify the effectiveness of various mitigation measures in minimising such rain-wind induced phenomenon.
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic01.jpg
(b) Wind Tunnel Tests – As with the design of all long span bridges, aerodynamic considerations require extensive analysis and wind tunnel testing was carried out as follows:

1:80 Standard Section Model Tests

These tests were carried out to investigate the vortex shedding response and steady wind load coefficients of the deck section. The effect of guide vanes and variations in girder edge geometry were also investigated. The tests were conducted by the Danish Maritime Institute.
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic03.jpg

1:20 Section Model Tests

The purpose of these tests was to verify the aerodynamic performance of the deck section determined from the 1:80 standard section model tests. By modelling the deck section in a larger scale a more accurate shape and position of the guide vanes was determined. The tests were carried out at the National Research Council in Canada .
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic04.jpg

Full Aeroelastic Tower Model Tests

The purpose of these tests was to investigate the tower's vortex shedding response and to determine the measures necessary to reduce the response to acceptable levels to minimise the risk of cable vibrations. A 1:100 full aeroelastic tower model was constructed to study the response of the tower under various wind conditions. The tests were carried out in Denmark .


http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic05.jpg

Stay-Cable Testing

The stay-cable will be subject to the effects of wind and rain and will affect the bridge in two ways:

- The drag load coefficient of the cables will be directly reflected in the horizontal load carrying capacity of the bridge.

- Large amplitude oscillations induced by the combined effect of wind and rain may introduce wear and fatigue damage to cable attachments and cause concern to motorists travelling on the bridge.

- Wind tunnel tests were carried out to investigate the susceptibility of stay cables to rain-wind induced vibrations and verify the effectiveness of various mitigation measures in minimising such rain-wind induced phenomenon

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic06.jpg
Full Aeroelastic Bridge Model Testing

The Full Aeroelastic Bridge Model Tests were carried out to measure the buffeting response to turbulent wind and susceptibility to aeroelastic flutter and galloping instabilities of the bridge. Measurements in the service condition and in selected construction stages with topographic proximity were carried out in Monash University in Melbourne , Australia .


http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic07.jpg

(c) Turbulence Intensity Measurement - As part of the design of the Stonecutters Bridge one of the key considerations was the wind loading to which the bridge is exposed. In order to ascertain the loading, the wind climate at the bridge site was thoroughly investigated by means of wind tunnel tests and site measurement.

It was necessary to develop site-specific wind loading for the structural design of Stonecutters Bridge . To achieve this, field measurements were carried out to collect information on the wind speed, wind profile and wind turbulence at the CT8 side. Terrain model wind tunnel tests were carried out to complement the field measurements and to extend the coverage to include the CT9 side and the areas in between.

Terrain Model Testing

The approaches to the bridge are over terrain varying from open water to mountains and built-up areas. To establish the atmospheric turbulence characteristics at the bridge site and to correlate wind data from various specific locations for different wind directions, wind tunnel terrain model tests consisting of a 1/1500 scale model of the topographical terrain surrounding Stonecutters Bridge were conducted. The terrain coverage was within approximately 9 to 10km radius from the proposed bridge site.
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic08.jpg

Field Measurement

Wind Turbulence Intensity Field measurements were carried out to measure the wind climate at the bridge site. The objective is to carry out field measurements of atmospheric wind speed, direction and turbulence in order to obtain information on the vertical mean wind profile, horizontal mean wind inclination and one-point spectra prevailing at a location near the bridge site. The fieldworks, included the construction of a 50m high mast structure and provision of anemometers, barometers, hygrometers, and thermometers at both 30m and 50m above ground. A data logger and analyser were also provided. The mast structure is located close to the future position of the tower on Container Terminal 8.
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic09.jpg

(d) Marine Aspects -

Clearance Requirements
The bridge will straddle the Rambler Channel at the entrance to the Kwai Chung Container Port. In order to allow for adequate airdraft for the passage of super container vessels of the next generation, the soffit level of the bridge is set at a minimum level of 73.5 mPD. It will make the Stonecutters Bridge deck one of the highest in the world.

Navigation Simulation Workshop
One of the critical design constraints is to ensure the passage of vessels at all times during the construction of the bridge, and most critically, during the lifting of deck units from the channel. Pilots from the Hong Kong Pilots Association Ltd (HKPA) generally guide major vessels, such as container ships, into the port. A navigation simulation workshop was held in early July 2001 for the pilots from the association to become familiar with possible restrictions during construction of the bridge. Using real time simulation software at the workshop, the pilots navigated into and out of various berths during the lifting of deck units from different locations within the channel.

Ship Impact Tests
As the tower’s foundation will be located less than 10m away from the existing seawall coping lines of Container Terminal 8 and the proposed Container Terminal 9, ship impact is a significant load scenario for the design of Stonecutters Bridge. To model the complex soil/structure interaction during impact of ship, geotechnical centrifuge model testing using a 1:200 scale model of a vessel bow and seawall within a container was adopted to carry out the centrifuge testing. The container was then put into a calibrated centrifuge and spun at a centrifugal acceleration of 200 time gravity (200g).
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic14.jpg http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic15.jpg
(e) Detailed Design - The bridge was designed using sophisticated computer software to simulate the behaviour under different loading conditions through construction and for the full service life. Each stage of the construction process was modeled, as well as the complex effects of the wind environment, potential seismic events, and the patterns of traffic loading. A global model of the full bridge was used to determine the effects caused. This was updated at key phases to reflect the latest information as the design evolved. Very detailed local finite element models were used to determine stress flows in different parts of the bridge and supplement the global results. A rigorous verification was made to confirm the safety and performance of all structural components and compliance with the statutory design standards.
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic10.jpg http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic11.jpg

(f) Design Development - The design of Stonecutters Bridge is developed from the Reference Scheme (RS) with the objective of keeping its appearance. The main changes to the RS were:
‧ Deletion of the monolithic joint between the deck and the tower to reduce the torsional moment in the tower during the full cantilevering of the bridge as well as in-service.

‧ Introduction of lateral bearings and longitudinal hydraulic buffers at the towers to cater for the horizontal wind loads and short term dynamic loading such as that from wind and seismic effects respectively.

‧ Use of parallel wire stay cables instead of locked coil cables.

‧ Change of deck cross-section shape from a fully curved soffit to a combined curve and straight soffit.

‧ Modification of the top 118m portion of the tower from a steel only cross-section to a steel-concrete composite section to provide greater stiffness and damping.

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic12.jpg
(g) Wind and Structural Health Monitoring System (WASHMS) - A Wind And Structural Health Monitoring System will be installed in Stonecutters Bridge to monitor the response of the bridge to different loading conditions including Wind Loading, Temperature Loading, Highway Loading and Seismic Loading. Sensory System (SS) collects information on the spot and transmits the signal back to central control units for storage and analysis.
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/designconsiderations/pic13.jpg

incredible work, thnx Ar3Man

:)

Simply mind-blowing!!! Thanks!!!

I can't believe i haven't heard of this untill now. This provide a much faster and more direct route to the airport and lighten the huge load on the current highway system. Looks massive!

Impressive project !

A very professional update. Another impressive infrastructure project in HK with extensive international collaboration.

I also dislike cable-stayed bridges. They are utility-looking, and lack elegence.

From news.gov.hk:
Key route to open next year (http://news.gov.hk/en/category/infrastructureandlogistics/060825/features/html/060825en06002.htm)

by 輝 仔 (faing) from http://hk-place.com/vp.php?board=1&id=2239-1

2006-11-02
http://posts.clementng.com/20061029/bridge01.jpg
http://posts.clementng.com/20061029/bridge02.jpg

Sept. 16, 2006
http://static.flickr.com/101/290405035_499964fd91_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/119/290290560_f2b3213126_o.jpg

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42978996@N00/290405035

I love the look of this new bridge and I love cable stayed bridges

I love the way it travels over the port - pretty cool

So much change has happened around Mei Foo. Last time I resided there, there was actually an oceanfront promenade by the estate. Nowadays, it's blocked by the KCR/Tung Chung/Airport Line, an expressway, Lai Chi Kok Park, the freight terminal port and Stonecutters Bridge.

The bridge, if its done in white, has a touch of a "landmark" feel to it. Given the background (container ports?) I think the bridge is somewhat of a misfit. In this situation I would rather call for a "public convenience" and utility-oriented bridge, maybe a simple suspension or even a causeway? Either way though, at night, when everything else is dark, the bridge will look good on its own right.

I have mixed feelings about the bridge, the modern-ness of it contrasts to much with the industrial backdrop...

I saw a program here in the netherlands on discovery channel about this bridge. Very impressive, they sure got their hands full while building this bridge!
those 2 b/w pics here above are really nice. great atmosphere in them.
More and often updates on this bridge wanted please :)

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20070301/img/sn14030103_big.jpg

I saw a program here in the netherlands on discovery channel about this bridge. Very impressive, they sure got their hands full while building this bridge!
those 2 b/w pics here above are really nice. great atmosphere in them.
More and often updates on this bridge wanted please :)


I saw something similar & it was bloody boring. This is far more enlightening. Well done everyone for keeping us up to date. This is going to be a classy bridge.

Contract Description :

Stonecutters Bridge is a 1.6 km long dual 3-lane high level cable stayed bridge, with a clear span of 1018 metres. It is a major part of the section of Route 8 between Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan. The bridge will straddle the Rambler Channel at the entrance to the busy Kwai Chung Container port. It will be situated at the back-up land of the Container Terminal 8 (CT8) at the eastern side on Stonecutters Island. At the western side it will be built on the back-up land formed for Container Terminal 9 (CT9) on Tsing Yi Island. The Stonecutters Bridge when completed will be one of the longest span cable-stayed bridges in the world.

http://www.hyd.gov.hk/eng/major/majorworks/sb/images/scb_2.jpg

http://www.hyd.gov.hk/eng/major/majorworks/sb/images/scb_3.jpg

http://www.r8nscv.net/Image/p1-L.jpg

March 2007 Updates

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/2007Mar/ebs_01.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/2007Mar/ebs_02.jpg
Erection of deck lifting beams for north deck lifting frame

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/2007Mar/ebs_03.jpg
Installation of temporary bowstring frames

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/2007Mar/ebs_04.jpg
Steel fixing

Website : http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20070409/IMG_1455.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20070515/IMG_3543.jpg

You can already imagine the view avilable when driving thru this bridge, i can imagine there will be car accidents involved coz of this view...
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/2007Mar/ebs_03.jpg

Very nice, but isn't the longest span cable-stayed bridge in Greece?

Hm the suspended deck of this bridge seems to be 1.018 m while the rio antirio has a total suspended deck of 2.252 m, but i think they mean the longest span between the pylons, which in rio is 560 m.

Anyway an excellent bridge and a great presentation by the poster ;)

If you take the longest span as criterion, longest now is Tatara Bridge in Japan with 890 m. Stonecutters will be on top with 1,018 m, but not so long because Sutong Bridge with 1,088 m span is also currently under construction.

amazingly beautiful!!! faboulous project that will only add to the beauty of HK

4-2007

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/2007Apr/et_01.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/2007Apr/et_02.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wt_02.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wt_01.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_04.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/2007Apr/wbs_01.jpg

http://netalbum2006.netvigator.com/netalbum/photos/9585b1e661a2d0b4dea994e74f3a46aa6339632fae0725641483db61390819d7e99629ba0dfe75c398294beffb349f7c

:eek: :eek: http://netalbum2006.netvigator.com/netalbum/photos/9585b1e661a2d0b4dea994e74f3a46aa6339632fae0725641483db61390819d7e99629ba0dfe75c398294beffb349f7c

This is extreme engineering...

This is extreme engineering...

The show "Extreme Engineering" on Discovery Channel does have an episode on the Stonecutter Bridge. :lol: :lol: :lol:

This is going to be one very uncomfortable 360 turn. :ohno: :ohno:

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/2007Apr/wbs_01.jpg

Everything looks so extreme massive. The bride is going to stand no matter what happens to it.

And this is going to be one very uncomfortable 360 turn. :ohno: :ohno:
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/2007Apr/wbs_01.jpg

The show "Extreme Engineering" on Discovery Channel does have an episode on the Stonecutter Bridge. :lol: :lol: :lol:

lol seriously i didn't know!!!

And i just found out that i can see this bridge from home.

03-Jul-07

Playing with my new camera :)

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/7581/img0027yb8.jpg

wow, nice photos!

Splendid

Can't wait to see it completed!!

I like bridges that passes through container ports while providing a nice view of the city's skyline. This is the perfect example of such one :)

The bridge is part of a comprehensive highway construction plan that will ultimately link Tsing Yi with a new tunnel into Shatin. More information in the highways section : http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=338503

Awesome! I love the view!

Saw this image on SSC, although I can't remmeber where:

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/6901/icctd5.jpg

nice pic ^^

^^ Yep!!

8/26

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20070826/IMG_0348.jpg

30/8/2007


http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/91/dsc0049ev8.jpg
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/2856/dsc0050df9.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2248/dsc0064ha0.jpg
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/2020/dsc0033gv2.jpg
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/9241/stoikpanorama1ef2.jpg

By holup from HKADB
http://www.hkadb.com/forum/files/img_8101_503.jpg

Hey I see that hotel I stayed at! ^^

A new use for the bridge tower.

From HKADB by Superjet:
http://www.hkadb.com/forum/files/img_6217_950.jpg

New signage that I saw on the highways say "Ngong Shuen Chau" in English, yet the bridge is named Stonecutters' Bridge in English (Ngong Shuen Chau Bridge in Chinese).

Has someone made a mistake in the Highways Dept.?

Ngong Sheun Chau is known as both Ngong Sheun Chau and Stonecutter's Island.

I suppose they are going in line with the pro chinese theme of just about everything in HK these days.

Just like Ap Lei Chau was called Aberdeen Island...

I guess it's also due to local popular usage?

A new use for the bridge tower.

From HKADB by Superjet:
http://www.hkadb.com/forum/files/img_6217_950.jpg

:lol::lol::lol:

Ngong Sheun Chau is known as both Ngong Sheun Chau and Stonecutter's Island.

I suppose they are going in line with the pro chinese theme of just about everything in HK these days.

Just like Ap Lei Chau was called Aberdeen Island...

I guess it's also due to local popular usage?

I lived in Ap Lei Chau for long and have never heard people call it Aberdeen Island. Yes, Ap Lei Chau does get put in Aberdeen area in general but not Aberdeen Island specifically referring to Ap Lei Chau.

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu0.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/overmenu2.jpghttp://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/en/img/oversubmenu2b.gif

http://www.news.gov.hk/tc/category/infrastructureandlogistics/051014/features/html/051012p062jpg.jpg
A clear side view



http://www.hyd.gov.hk/eng/major/majorworks/sb/doc/hy200226.pdf
A very detail information for the whole project

This view is just great !!

11/14

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20071114/IMG_0543.jpg

12/11

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/hongkong/IMG_2710.jpg

This thing goes beyond numbers and letters. Incredible!

Nov 07

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_01s.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_02s.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_04s.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/et_01s.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wt_01s.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wbs_01s.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wbs_02s.jpg

昂船洲大橋將展跨海工程
07月 23日 星期一 06:30AM
綜合報道
星島日報

用作連接昂船洲與青衣一段八號幹铫的昂船洲大橋，將於今年下半年展開最為矚目的跨海橋工程，兩年後竣工時將成為全球第二長的斜拉索橋。負責興建大橋的路政署工程師指出，昂船洲大橋主跨達到一千零五十八米，是繼江蘇蘇通大橋之後，成為另一條能突破「千米」界限的斜拉索橋。他期望大橋落成後，能令港人引以為傲的另一地標。

三年多前開始動工的昂船洲大橋，屬連接青衣至沙田 的八號幹铫一部分，兩段的三百米橋塔現時已興建至二百米的高度，預計今年稍後時間能開始興建跨海的橋身部分，按計畫於○九年落成。

一手籌劃大橋興建工作的路政署主要工程管理處高級工程師黃劍波表示，建造跨海橋身部分，是最矚目，難度也最大。他說：「跨海的橋身部分，會是像懸臂伸出去；以預製組件製成的橋身，逐一由躉船吊上半空燒焊連接，再跟拉索連接。當橋身伸出愈遠時，會愈受到風力影響，也是橋最脆弱的時候；直至兩邊的『大臂』合籠時，橋身才會穩定下來。」

全長一點六公里的昂船洲大橋，主跨部分達到一千零五十八米，落成後會成為世界第二長的斜拉索橋；位於江蘇省東部、主跨一千零八十八米的蘇通大橋，則會於明年率先竣工，成為全球最長的斜拉索橋。黃劍波指出，興建斜拉索橋的最大難度，在於當橋身愈長時，近橋塔的橋面所承受的應力亦會相對較多，昔日一直以一千米作為興建極限，目前全球最長的日本 多多羅斜拉索橋，只有八百九十米。

隨覑科技和工程的不斷進步，拉索強度日漸增加，才令橋身的跨道可以愈來愈長，昂船洲大橋的最長一段拉索就達到五百四十米，「蘇通大橋早前亦已『合籠』，說明『不肯定因素』已不存在。」他補充說，過去橋身較長的橋梁，多以青馬大橋 的「吊橋」方式興建；斜拉索橋主要利用拉索「約束」橋身，毋須建造較深的橋躉作支撐，相對較具成本效益。

曾參與長青隧道興建工作的黃劍波，已於路政署工作達十七年。他憶述，於九七年開始接手昂船洲大橋的興建工作，從大橋的走铫規劃，到大橋設計比賽，眼見大橋逐步按計畫落成，是一件賞心樂事。他笑言：「沒有轉部門的其中原因，是由於個人對建造大橋有一份興趣；昂船洲大橋的建造過程前後將會達十二年，如果我的公務員生涯有三十多年，相信會有三分之一的時間是花在『照顧』這條橋之上。」

昂船洲大橋是繼汀九橋 、汲水橋和西部通道後，本港另一條大型斜拉索橋。黃劍波希望，坐落在維港顯注位置的昂船洲大橋，可成為本港另一地標，經常在電視或明信片中「亮相」。

Nice design and setting.

1/12/2008

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2008/0112/IMG_5783.jpg

Nov 07

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_01s.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_02s.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/ebs_04s.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/et_01s.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wt_01s.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wbs_01s.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/current/wbs_02s.jpg


Thanks for the updates!!! These were amazing!

any updates?

^^
well, those pics posted by hkskyline are automatically updated by the government. You're now enjoying the pics in March 2008.

The deck is finally on!

I was so disappointed last summer, the bridge looked exactly the same throughout the month long stay.

East Tower (Height: 298m)

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/SiteImage/2008/04/et_01.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/SiteImage/2008/04/ebs_03.jpg
http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/SiteImage/2008/04/wbs_02.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/SiteImage/2008/04/et_02.jpg

May 24, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/2545527878_03052d5f22_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/2544702141_d9511560c1_o.jpg

source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcbain/2545522720/in/set-72157605390779677/

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/vickycheng/IMG_5223s.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/vickycheng/IMG_5247s.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/vickycheng/IMG_5251.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/vickycheng/IMG_5253s.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/vickycheng/IMG_5261s.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/vickycheng/IMG_5262s.jpg

Author : http://www.vickycheng.org/dc/

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/SiteImage/2008/04/ebs_03.jpg

OH... MY... GOD





This is the new face of HK! Travelling along stonecutters from the airport will be THE most amazing introduction to a city on the planet.

EDIT: Imagine that at night!!! With a complete bridge.

Definitely my favourite cable-stayed bridge in the world.The two thin towers make the bridge look so elegant.
It will make HK even better!

7/20

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2008/0720/IMG_1768.jpg

7/20

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2008/0720/IMG_1768.jpg

Nice angle, from there it looks like an entrance to Tsuen Wan.

just a few more meters and they'll meet in middle...

really nice bridge and excellent traffic planning...

question... when will it be finished completely?

Cool pictures of an amazing bridge!!!:cheers:^^

8/24

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2008/0824/IMG_3082.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2008/0824/IMG_3111.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2008/0824/IMG_3112.jpg

Source : http://www.fotop.net/dreamer/

http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/dreamer/09082008/DSC_1432a.jpg

http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/dreamer/09082008/DSC_1418.jpg

http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/dreamer/09082008/DSC_1425.jpg

http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/dreamer/09082008/DSC_1426.jpg

wow this looks so futuristic

crazy, together with the port it is one of the best scenes in industrial world.

wow thats amazing span half a mile long and the towers are taller than the Eiffel tower talk about the most breath taking bridge in the world and to me its the gate way to the docks

Imposing construction. But they could have designed something more innovative, eh.


Anyway, when is this Baby going to be inaugarated for traffic?



Let's spot the Stonecutters Bridge in an aerial view:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2916003876_4a32181f92_o.jpg
(Found at the international ICC-Thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=26199494#post26199494))

^^ What a nice looking small town in the background!!! :D :D :D

Seriously: a stunning picture of this beautiful bridge under construction in this fantastic city! I knew Hong Kong was terrific, but only after being there I really "fell in love" with the dynamics of the people and the architectural landmarks of this city!

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2008/1025/IMG_3411.jpg

By hemanwong from a Hong Kong photography forum :

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g286/kc7911/8051.jpg

11/10

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2008/1110/IMG_3730.jpg

October 2008

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/SiteImage/2008/10/ms_02.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/SiteImage/2008/10/ms_01.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/SiteImage/2008/10/ms_03.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/SiteImage/2008/10/ms_04.jpg

September 2008

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/SiteImage/2008/09/ms_01.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/SiteImage/2008/09/ms_02.jpg

http://www.stonecuttersbridge.net/gallery/SiteImage/2008/09/ms_03.jpg

Source : http://www.fotop.net/photographer/080621

http://images4.fotop.net/albums4/photographer/080621/IMG_8034.jpg

http://images4.fotop.net/albums4/photographer/080621/IMG_7797.jpg

GREAT!

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2008/1130/IMG_5018.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2008/1130/IMG_5019.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2008/1130/IMG_5035.jpg

By robertlaw13610 from dchome :

http://www.dchome.net/attachments/day_080627/20080627_fc997c81be17b69bcfff3PZDyPFGZxpN.jpg

my update, pictures from 26 december ...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/3147855211_1e6e7bdb51_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/3148684552_458833139f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/3148682420_17371294cf_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3244/3147848109_c2117287b2_b.jpg

my update, pictures from 26 december ...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/3148682420_17371294cf_b.jpg



on this picture the sides look like going down not as they should come together...
how are they going to fix that? or it should be like that?

^^Erm...tightening the cables?

i've never been a witness to that happening so i don't know the procedure... is that something common or it requires some special techniques?

Almost touching!

A great addition to Hong Kong's already amazing infrastruture.

It's amazing, wonderfull.
I love Hong Kong now!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/3206712922_b946d7f82b_b.jpg

source: http://flickr.com/photos/28982011@N02/3206712922/

Hi everyone,
I recently visited HK and got some shots of a bridge which I had no idea of what it was until I came back and started searching around Google for "hong kong new bridge" and eventually searched SSC for this bridge. So here they are:

(All taken 12/27/08 or 27/12/08 or just plain December 27th, 2008)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/3207222793_36dc541036_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/3208070910_d033e819f4_b.jpg
You can see the welding taking place (I think):
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3207246665_0b62024c66_b.jpg

Part 2 to come soon...

昂船洲大橋 照超聲波保安全; 全球第二長斜索橋 Discovery頻道追訪
15 January 2009
香港經濟日報

今年，香港一重要基建昂船洲大橋將會落成，亦是全球第二長斜索橋，吸引得Discovery頻道新建築節目來港追訪，盛讚大橋深富簡潔美，而且要照超聲波保安全，大開眼界！

昂船洲大橋跨度長達1,018米，較香港現有的兩座斜索橋○○吸水門大橋及汀九橋長逾一倍，令建築更困難。大橋由醞釀到建成的10年光景，昂船洲大橋工程現已來到最緊張的時刻○○大橋尚餘不足300米就合龍，橋面從兩端向海中愈築愈遠，每裝上一塊，橋面兩邊就向下沉一沉，最後一節還必須在風季來臨前完成，建築隊伍每天向時間競賽。

每天向時間競賽 3月合龍

如此精采的工程故事，令專門追訪全球大型建築工程的Discovery頻道節目《工程大突破》主持人Danny Forster都來港追訪。本身是哈佛大學建築學碩士Danny說昂船洲大橋：「它是最具簡潔美的。」

來自紐約曼克頓的他坦然對香港高密度天際線吃不消：「太刺激，密度太高了！還幸尚有自然山脊線做平衡，希望香港能保持這平衡，昂船洲大橋正好是最不誇飾最美的。」工程師向他透露，大橋今年3月合龍；據路政署回覆，大橋餘下工程第三季竣工。

橋身像倒轉機翼 減風阻

的確，從高空中看，這全球第二高的斜索橋不見雄偉，反而甚為「單薄」。大橋項目總監Naeem Hussain把大橋形容為一束光：纖幼、流線型和耀目。「正因為大橋的結構簡單、纖細能減低風阻，兩條行車線間更留有通風空間，這條橋是通風不是擋風，令橋身更穩定。」Danny說。

大橋結構順應自然，橋身同樣巧妙，像是一對倒轉的飛機翼，纖薄、又流線型的設計降低風阻。而鋼纜則像高爾夫球般，上面布滿小凹窩。加速雨水流走、減少衝擊面，「因為香港的颱風多，位置當風、橋身太高，鋼纜變粗些少都會帶來危險。」本身是哈佛大學建築學碩士Danny說。他讚香港築橋的團隊十分國際化，有來自加拿大、美國、中國、香港、尼泊爾等專才。「這團隊特別有經驗，有位主管建過青馬橋、汀九橋、現在建昂船洲大橋，數十年來都在建橋；他們在橋邊日以繼夜工作，見慣風浪！」

沒多餘裝飾 細節一絲不苟

全大橋沒多餘裝飾，但就對每一細節一絲不苟：大橋由65段部件鋼箱樑接而成，確保焊接穩妥成為最重要一步，其安全監察令Danny大開眼界：「孕婦生小孩，緊張嬰兒健康要照超聲波，他們為確保接合安全，也為大橋照超聲波！其中百分之五的部分還會照X光！我曾貼在橋面照超聲波，感覺有趣。」

既是鋼索橋，全橋安全自是繫於一線，他跟技工站在逾200米高的橋塔高台上幫忙穿鋼纜。「我們穿針線都不易啦，把重達79噸的鋼纜從橋面吊起，遙控穿進橋頂，一穿就是8個小時。」有畏高症的Danny站在那裡一小時已經頭暈腳軟，特別著港人向在高空工作的尼泊爾技工致敬！

Closer look at ties, deck bottom:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3207247515_f6d9771955.jpg

Preparing to go underneath Eastern side of main span:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3207248839_ccec74d84e.jpg

Directly underneath:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3207250231_86f3704bcf.jpg

Part 3 coming soon.

That bridge better be joining before typhoon season......otherwise it WILL be in great risk, since it doesn't have something Tsing Ma/Kap Shui Mun has!

施工續唱慢板 八號幹線斷截
昂船洲大橋通車再拖
29/01/2009
http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/img/endmarker.gif

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20090129/img/sn06012902f_big.jpg

去年本報揭發八號幹線核心項目—昂船洲大橋建造工程延誤達一年後，路政署卻續唱慢板，不但沒加快施工，反而再度押後一季才能完工，通車日期進一步延至今年第三季。目前整條幹線仍斷截禾蟲，駕駛者敬而遠之，令通車近一年的沙田至長沙灣段（青沙公路）車流量只達預期的六分之一，無法疏導已十分擠塞的獅隧及大老山隧道。

連接沙田至大嶼山的八號幹線至今仍剩下青衣至長沙灣段未建成，其中昂船洲大橋的工程原定去年六月完工，本報去年查證後卻發現，政府未能在前期探土工作中，發現橋塔地基下的複雜地質問題，結果要委託顧問研究及修改設計，加上惡劣天氣等因素，工程延遲了整整一年，工程費亦由二十七億六千萬元大幅增至三十七億元。

正當市民期待今年中整條幹線可望貫通，本報再次發現幹線的工程出現延誤，完工日期又要延遲一季。路政署解釋，去年六至十月期間，颱風多次襲港、暴雨連連，降雨量創歷年新高，大橋的工程進度因此再度受阻。據最新的評估，大橋可於今年年初合攏，但餘下工程要到今年第三季才能竣工。

物流協會質疑建築技術
由於大橋遲遲未能落成，令駕駛者一直不能善用整條八號幹線，巴士公司亦拒絕將巴士線改經通車約十個月的青沙公路，導致公路車流量一直處於甚低水平。根據運輸署數字，每日平均只有兩萬架次行經青沙公路，只及該署估計每日十二萬架次車流的一成六。

香港物流協會卸任會長黃輔華對幹線再度延遲通車感失望，質疑「香港用咩技術建築，點解會遲咁多？」他說，該幹線除了可接通青衣九號貨櫃碼頭外，亦可成為三號幹線的替代道路，令沙田前往青衣、荃灣的市民更方便。由於幹線遲遲未能全面貫通，以致已開放的路段車流疏落，無法疏導其他擠塞的道路。

路政署稱，昂船洲大橋的建造工程合約附有條款，署方可修訂竣工日期，以配合於施工期間因惡劣天氣影響，或額外施工期。今次工程再度受阻，造價仍可維持於三十七億元。

最長跨度斜拉橋之一
八號幹線青衣至長沙灣段於○二年起分階段動工，當中全長達一千五百九十六米的昂船洲大橋是地標式項目，主跨度達一千零一十八米，完工後將成為全球最長跨度的斜拉橋之一。

昂船洲大橋位於來往葵涌貨櫃碼頭的繁忙航道入口，橫跨藍巴勒海峽，為預留足夠的通航淨空間予下一代超級貨櫃輪船通過，大橋最低拱腹水平定為七十三點五米，這亦使大橋的主樑成為世界上最高的主樑之一。

事實上，八號幹線的青長段動工多年，只有昂船洲高架道路部分路段於去年率先開放，其餘路段包括昂船洲大橋、青衣東、西高架道路及南灣隧道，均要今年第三季才能開放使用。

Awesome project
Awesome bridge
:cheers:
Bravo Hong Kong :okay:

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/Stonecutters.jpg

Drivers shun HK$6.8b road link Route 8 carries under a sixth of its capacity
5 January 2009
South China Morning Post

Low use of the city's newest multibillion-dollar road link is raising fears that taxpayers may have invested in a huge white elephant. Nine months after it opened, the HK$6.8 billion Route 8, which links Sha Tin with Cheung Sha Wan via two tunnels, is carrying less than a sixth of the vehicles it was designed for.

The Transport Department has no plans to introduce new bus routes using the link despite having built two 100-metre bus bays, each capable of servicing 10 routes. And although the link was aimed at reducing congestion on other routes between Sha Tin and Kowloon, a minimal initial effect has since vanished.

Route 8 - which will eventually link the eastern New Territories with Tsing Yi and the airport via another project under construction, Stonecutters Bridge - passes through the 2.1km Eagle's Nest Tunnel and the 1km Sha Tin Heights Tunnel, which have dual three-lane carriageways.

In May 2002, the government told Legco's public works subcommittee the link would ease traffic congestion in the Lion Rock, Tate's Cairn and Shing Mun tunnels and Tai Po Road.

It was estimated the peak-hour volume could be cut by 15 per cent in the Lion Rock Tunnel and 27 per cent in the Shing Mun Tunnel.

But between March and October, a daily average of just 17,200 vehicles used Route 8 - 14 per cent of the design capacity of 120,000. By contrast, more than 83,200 vehicles used the Lion Rock Tunnel daily and 48,390 vehicles used the Shing Mun Tunnel.

In the first four months after Route 8 opened, traffic fell 5.9 per cent in the Lion Rock Tunnel and 9.1 per cent in the Shing Mun Tunnel. But the trend did not last and traffic volume rose in July and September.

Sha Tin district councillor Yeung Cheung-li said he did not believe the new route would lure drivers away from the Lion Rock Tunnel. "I am worried that when the tunnel is undergoing major renovation, the traffic congestion will get much worse," Mr Yeung, chairman of the council's traffic and transport committee, said.

However, transport experts are more ready to give the new route the benefit of the doubt. "It is normal that for new road links, it takes some time for traffic to build up," former Transport Advisory Committee member Leung Kong-yui said. "The link to Tsing Yi has not yet been completed."

He said he expected that when connecting routes such as Stonecutters Bridge were in operation, more vehicles heading for Lantau or the airport would use Route 8.

The Route 8 project includes bus interchanges at the exits of the Eagle's Nest Tunnel, but they will remain unused in the foreseeable future.

Mr Yeung was puzzled as to why bus bays had been provided when the government had no plan to introduce new bus routes.

"The Sha Tin District Council has been pushing the Transport Department to introduce new bus routes that run through Route 8 to Kowloon West. This would help reduce the vehicle load on the Lion Rock Tunnel and Tai Po Road," Mr Yeung said. "But the Transport Department has been firm in response that there is no demand for new services."

Drivers shun HK$6.8b road link Route 8 carries under a sixth of its capacity
5 January 2009
South China Morning Post

Maybe they're beginning to learn that building large road networks today is futile and should invest in more mass transit options. I personally don't think that these roads will ever reach capacity.

i dont think i have ever seen such breathtaking pictures before!

any news if its all joined up and the brdge is finished

^

According to the sources hkskyline posted, the bridge will be joining in March.

Last time, you were left guessing where the ship was - would it pass under the constructed spans or between it?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3435/3272442810_ca752c0960.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3271623277_9d0b83f9f1.jpg
Name of the Ship:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3512/3272445740_6d65c7662b.jpg

Will the ship successfully navigate through and not crash with the bridge?
Find out in Part 4!!! :)

short move from discovery channel ''Extreme Engineering'' about a few days from building this bridge
part 1/5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTFwERMt89s

And now, the conclusion...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3271628993_8121080729.jpg
(Yes the ship made it under the bridge)

Thanks for watching.

how tall is the bridge? Its one of the tallest in the world (2nd or 3rd?), over 900ft I think.

roughly 1000ft, its 298m.

Source : http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/bigcathk_video/?start=all

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/bigcathk_video/DSC08446a.jpg

almost there!!

um... its dipping in the middle. Someone screwed up.

um... its dipping in the middle. Someone screwed up.

The sag is normal. It will be fixed when the last segment installed.

You should know that you need something to lift up that giant road decks and install them in place right? The main span is 1000m. The back spans are 600m total. So of course it will sag at least a bit! Even during the times where they are not installing the bridge decks.

Source : http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/bigcathk_video/?start=all

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/bigcathk_video/DSC08446a.jpg

Such an amazing sight!

By fatshe from skyscrapers.cn :

http://api.photoshop.com/home_11e5fbb8309740b9aa8ad5872ce63dff/adobe-px-assets/05c36355963f4601a626fb899714537a

http://api.photoshop.com/home_11e5fbb8309740b9aa8ad5872ce63dff/adobe-px-assets/6848bfe64b0a413f8b47291294a97bec

http://api.photoshop.com/home_11e5fbb8309740b9aa8ad5872ce63dff/adobe-px-assets/12e9b5ece52346f3821076f92664d028

last 1 bridge deck to go!

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/7729/90602.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/227/90601.jpg

Source: Wai Li Book Co.
Amazing sight!

PS: This is the body of water before you get into Victoria Harbour (West Lamma Channel I beleive). Notice the bridge somewhere in the background.

Is there a close-up? Is the last deck up yet?

PS: This is the body of water before you get into Victoria Harbour (West Lamma Channel I beleive). Notice the bridge somewhere in the background.

The aerial were probably taken over Victoria Harbour just north of Hong Kong Island off shore from Kennedy Town or vicinity.

Is there a close-up? Is the last deck up yet?

When I was in town last week, there was still one deck gap in the middle.
The construction schedule is to have the bridge deck closed up in March; so... it has to be this week for the grand ceremony.

By fatshe from skyscrapers.cn :

http://api.photoshop.com/home_11e5fbb8309740b9aa8ad5872ce63dff/adobe-px-assets/5d745452d5ff4bc2b5a18369d0ad18a9

http://api.photoshop.com/home_11e5fbb8309740b9aa8ad5872ce63dff/adobe-px-assets/3c44ec850c8241169e1c8875fda05718

When I was in town last week, there was still one deck gap in the middle.
The construction schedule is to have the bridge deck closed up in March; so... it has to be this week for the grand ceremony.

the NCE magazine had it in the front page, but unfortunately there wasn't any significant content about it..

Took a taxi trip along the Kwai Chung Expressway today. Although a few key cranes blocked my view, I could still see that the bridge has joined.

The day has finally come. This is official that there is only one single Stonecutters Bridge. :banana::banana::banana:

Red-letter day for delayed bridge of size

Diana Lee

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

The world's second longest cable-stayed bridge came a step nearer to completion yesterday, a year behind schedule and HK$1 billion over cost.

Stonecutters Bridge will span the Rambler Channel connecting Nam Wan Kok, Tsing Yi Island and Stonecutters Island with a main span length of 1,018 meters by its completion this year.

Sutong Bridge, which spans the Yangtze River at Suzhou, with a main span length of 1,088m, holds the record.

Stonecutters Bridge was scheduled for completion by the end of last year, costing HK$2.7 billion but the government has revised it to HK$3.7 billion.

The increase was attributed to the higher cost of construction materials and requirement for more bored piles.

"The price of construction materials, especially steel, has doubled since we signed the contract years ago," said Chow Ying-shun, project manager of the Major Works Project Management Office, after a deck closure ceremony.

The 27 piles at the West Tower were increased to 29 after a geological fault was discovered and the depth of the piles increased by 40m to 110m.

The ceremony included a traditional roast pig and broaching of a sake barrel.

Secretary for Transport and Housing, Eva Cheng Yue-wah said the bridge is vital to the development of Hong Kong's port and logistics industry and another infrastructure landmark for the city.

The final section of the bridge's main span was finally welded into place early yesterday.

The bridge will be a major part of Route 8, which the government believes will relieve congestion in Lion Rock and Tate's Cairn tunnels and on roads near Kwai Chung. It will also offer a faster and more convenient link to the airport.

It has one of the world's highest clearances at 73.5m, enabling the passage of the largest container vessels to Kwai Chung container terminal.

昂船洲大橋合龍 料年底通車
8 April 2009
香港經濟日報

連接沙田至大嶼山的昂船洲大橋昨日正式合龍，預計今年底可通車，但較原來延誤一年半。長1,596米的大橋以跨度計，屬全球第二大斜拉橋，造價約37億元，較預算超支10億元。

路政署表示，大橋今年底啟用前，會與公益金合作舉行百萬行，讓市民在橋上欣賞維港及貨櫃碼頭景致。

辦百萬行 欣賞維港景致

昂船洲大橋為八號幹線一部分，通車後由沙田至大嶼山，車程可縮短至25分鐘；但施工期間出現延誤及超支問題。路政署主要工程處處長周應淳指，最新估計造價達37億元，期望年底可通車，較原先08年6月的通車期延遲約一年半。

周解釋，西面橋塔打樁時，發現地質與勘探不同，樁柱要由60米加深至110米，西面樓塔地基樁柱數目由27條增至29條，故單是地基費用已增加6,000萬元。

他又指，橋面以鋼材為主，但過去4年已漲價近1倍，令建築成本上升。由於政府與承建商的合約，價錢一向按物價計算可加可減，如建材價上升，政府便需多付費用。

延期年半 造價超支10億

昂船洲大橋橫跨藍巴勒海峽，主跨度1,018米，是繼江蘇省蘇通大橋的1,088米跨度後，位列世界第二大斜拉橋。大橋位於貨櫃碼頭旁，橋面高度設計至73.5米高，較青馬大橋的62.1米高，足以讓未來2代的新貨櫃輪經過。

另外，橋身會安裝較省電的LED，燈光顏色可按節日而變動，並考慮採用以「東西方文化薈萃」為題的變色燈光圖案，凸顯香港金融中心的金光燈飾設計。

周應淳說，大橋設計壽命約120年，預計每年維修成本折算約1,000萬元。大橋特色之一是橋塔頂有玻璃屋，內藏維修吊船及維修工具；橋底有中空位置，設維修穿梭車，運送工人維修橋面。

大橋來回3線行車，通車後若遇上颱風，會視乎風力作交通管理，10號風球會關閉，8號風球則視乎風力而定。

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/7729/90602.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/227/90601.jpg

Source: Wai Li Book Co.
Amazing sight!

PS: This is the body of water before you get into Victoria Harbour (West Lamma Channel I beleive). Notice the bridge somewhere in the background.
It's amazing how busy the waters around Hong Kong are. Must be hell for the harbour master.

Has there been a study of the economic benefit of this bridge to the local economy after it is finished?

Has there been a study of the economic benefit of this bridge to the local economy after it is finished?

I am sure there is/are transportation, logistic and/or economic planning study/studies done to justify the need of the a new highway route, not just only the single Stonecutters Bridge. But if you ask where you can find it, I don't have the answer.

Any updates?

With giant bridge built at last,new road to airport set to open
8 April 2009
South China Morning Post

A multibillion-dollar expressway that will cut journey times between the airport and the northeastern New Territories may come into service this year, the transport minister said following the much-delayed completion yesterday of a key bridge.

The final span of the Stonecutters Bridge across the Rambler Channel separating Tsing Yi from western Kowloon was lifted into place a year later than planned. The bridge has cost HK$3.7 billion rather than the HK$2.7 billion budgeted.

Despite the delay and cost overrun, Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng said she was happy with progress on the project.

"This is the world's second longest cable-stayed bridge. It will become a landmark for Hong Kong," she said.

Chow Ying-shun, a Highways Department project manager for major works, said a mistake in surveying work and underestimation of the impact of weather on the project were the main reasons for the HK$1 billion overrun. Inflation in the prices of construction materials was another reason.

"We misjudged the nature of the rock that we built our bridge on. Ten of the piers had to go as deep as 100 metres, rather than 60 metres, and that costs a lot more," he said.

He denied there had been negligence, but said the government would see whether there were grounds for passing on some of the extra costs to contractors.

"We will pay for the jobs they did, such as the time and money involved in that additional 40 metres," he said.

"We poked more than 70 holes in the ground to test the rock, which is more than enough for a project of such scale, but after all, our findings are still only an estimation [of the actual ground conditions]."

Drivers will not pay a toll to use the bridge.

Route 8 links Sha Tin to Chek Lap Kok via Cheung Sha Wan and container terminals in Kwai Chung.

The section between Sha Tin and Cheung Sha Wan opened in March last year, cutting the journey time between Sha Tin and West Kowloon to five minutes and the journey time from the New Territories new town to the Kwai Chung terminals to 15 minutes.

When the bridge enters service, the journey time between Sha Tin and the airport will be halved, to 35 minutes.

The bridge is one of the world's highest. Its deck is 73.5 metres above the Rambler Channel - more than enough to allow for passage of the world's biggest cargo vessels and able to accommodate the even larger vessels that may be built in the future.

With giant bridge built at last,new road to airport set to open
8 April 2009
South China Morning Post

Drivers will not pay a toll to use the bridge.

Why no toll?

GXoiqwUIxfE

Why no toll?

Yes, no toll. HK finds its way to get money to maintain the bridges.
Don't forget we have high fuel tax, high license fee, high everything to own and operate a car, and other sources of income.
It's no NYC charging a car for $5+ to cross the bridges that are still falling apart.

The only tolled highway in HK is the North Lantau Expressway, excluding all the tunnels.

It's no NYC charging a car for $5+ to cross the bridges that are still falling apart.


And a hundred years ago HK had how many bridges?

I though so....

I hope that in a 2109 that the Stonecutters isn't "falling apart"

^^ have you heard about "maintenance"? :lol:

昂船洲大橋合龍 料年底通車


omg, can you really read this? :nuts:

And a hundred years ago HK had how many bridges?

I though so....

I hope that in a 2109 that the Stonecutters isn't "falling apart"

Hong Kong will build a new one ... rather than force something beyond its life expectancy to continue to live.

And a hundred years ago HK had how many bridges?

I though so....

I hope that in a 2109 that the Stonecutters isn't "falling apart"

As hkskyline, Hong Kong will build a new one rather than force something beyond its life expectancy. The bridge has a design life expectancy of 120 years; by 2109, the Government will probably look into building a new one depends on condition of the bridge. In fact, 100 year old technology may not even be acceptable by that time, or does it have to be dual-three lane, or will it need to be bigger. 100 year later, we may not even drive anymore.

The Cross-Harbour tunnel built in the late 60s and opened in 1972 has a life expectancy of 50 years (I believe), but we have already talked about what do we when its life expectancy come to the end last year. 15 years ahead gives us enough time to inspect, think, and plan what do we do.

We have also currently took down the old Causeway Bay Road Flyover and replaced it with a new one.

^^ not the economics is the only factor...
historic value may be also important...

^^ not the economics is the only factor...
historic value may be also important...

you are right, like the brooklyn bridge, it has tremendous historic value in it.
but these bridges cost tremendous amount of money to maintain; they can't handle today traffic demand causing heavy congestion, delay and environment impacts; they are not up to today highway standard causing hazardous driving condition and increase the potential of vehicle crashes. it is fine to keep those bridges, but something has to be done to reduce their usage to reduce the overloading, better maintenance, and so on.

you are right, like the brooklyn bridge, it has tremendous historic value in it.
but these bridges cost tremendous amount of money to maintain; they can't handle today traffic demand causing heavy congestion, delay and environment impacts; they are not up to today highway standard causing hazardous driving condition and increase the potential of vehicle crashes. it is fine to keep those bridges, but something has to be done to reduce their usage to reduce the overloading, better maintenance, and so on.

Hence Mayor Mike Bloomberg's proposal of Congestion Pricing last year. The revenues generated from that would help fund the bridge's maintenance as well as improving mass tranist. Unfortunately, the politicans here are just too dumb to realize this tax on drivers improves the lives of everyone.

Hence Mayor Mike Bloomberg's proposal of Congestion Pricing last year. The revenues generated from that would help fund the bridge's maintenance as well as improving mass tranist. Unfortunately, the politicans here are just too dumb to realize this tax on drivers improves the lives of everyone.

ye, it was a total shame. well, the urban bloomberg have a total different political view in urban transport than those suburban car-driven politicians in albany.

Hence Mayor Mike Bloomberg's proposal of Congestion Pricing last year. The revenues generated from that would help fund the bridge's maintenance as well as improving mass tranist. Unfortunately, the politicans here are just too dumb to realize this tax on drivers improves the lives of everyone.

Hence they're called "politicians" ;)

5/3

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2009/0503/IMG_0757.jpg

As hkskyline, Hong Kong will build a new one rather than force something beyond its life expectancy.


There is no room to build new bridges into Manhattan. The existing bridges just need to be improved and fixed.

There is no room to build new bridges into Manhattan. The existing bridges just need to be improved and fixed.

I guess one important thing is, as EricIsHim said, to limit vehicular usage.

By 6638 from a Hong Kong photography forum :

http://www.gophoto.com.hk/forum/attachments/forumid_62/20090506_e96b1a6de626a5546e17JtW8THBdiWOE.jpg

By 6638 from a Hong Kong photography forum :

http://www.gophoto.com.hk/forum/attachments/forumid_62/20090506_e96b1a6de626a5546e17JtW8THBdiWOE.jpg

That looks a bit photoshopped right?

That looks a bit photoshopped right?

HDR?

HDR?

Oh. Wow-I wish I was that good!

Yes, HDR or even another sky dropped into the photo. Cool, but a bit over done IMO.

The bridge is a beautiful addition to the city.

昂船洲大橋11月舉辦百萬行
7 May 2009
星島日報

昂船洲大橋有望成香港公益金善款「貴人」。公益金上年度的捐款總額受金融海嘯影響，創十年新低，其中由新上市公司選購「靚冧巴」而作出的捐款，就較往年大跌三分之二至僅約二千萬元。公益金籌募委員會聯席主席余錦基昨透露，政府初步落實於本年十一月昂船洲大橋開通前席舉行公益金慈善百萬行，盼助公益金「大步檻過」。

上市公司捐款暴跌

余錦基昨出席九巴新推出的路綫天書《九巴版圖2009》慈善義賣記者會時表示，上年度的捐款總額仍在整理結算當中，實質跌幅仍未知，但當中新上市公司的捐款額明顯跌得最厲害，「以往好多新上市的公司，買得個靚冧巴（上市編號）都不介意捐一百幾十萬給公益金，但去年少了」，只籌得約二千萬元。

但他強調，以年度平均捐款總額二億多元計算，有關跌幅未會造成太大影響，即使上年度的捐款總額，最終低於早前承諾向一百四十四家會員機構合共撥款二億一千萬元，亦絕對不會扣減機構撥款。「真的不夠錢，我們就會動用儲備基金，應付不時之需……這個基金好少用，多年來已滾存了四億多元，對上一次用已經是○三年沙士之後了。」

「多年來公益金都好好彩，每次難關都總可以守得雲開見月明，有貴人伸出援手，大步檻過。」他透露，公益金可望於十一月昂船洲大橋開通前席舉行慈善百萬行。當年輕馬大橋百萬行曾創下三千多萬元的捐款紀錄。記者 陳意婷

very good!

i would love to vist HK that city is amazing and the best skyline in the world in my opinion!

Quarry firm wins six-figure Asian contract
5 May 2009
Belfast Telegraph

BELFAST quarrying company Conexpo has won a contract to supply high skid resistant gritstone from Northern Ireland to a major bridge building project in Hong Kong.

The Port of Belfast-based company, which specialises in marketing quarrying products, will supply several thousand tonnes of the stone to Hong Kong based multinational Anderson Asphalt for use in the final road surface of the bridge. It didn’t reveal exactly how much the deal was worth but said it was a six figure sum.

The new Stonecutters Bridge, which will be the second longest cable-stayed bridge in the world, is being built at a cost of HK$3.7bn (£320m) by a consortium of Asian firms.

The massive structure is due to be completed later this year and will straddle the Rambler Channel at the entrance to the busy Kwai Chung Container Port. The bridge — also known as Angchuanzhou Bridge — will have a centre span of 1,018 metres and an overall length of 1,596 metres.

Conexpo, a family owned business formed in 1991, said it had been recommended to the Hong Kong company by an existing UK customer.

For the bridge contract, the Northern Ireland gritstone — known for its anti-skid properties — will be bagged into one-tonne jumbo bags in Belfast and loaded into containers for its six to eight-week journey to Hong Kong via Rotterdam. Around 30% of the tonnage has already been shipped and the contract should be complete late summer 2009, said Conexpo.

“The specifications were very exact,” said Stephen McCluskey, Conexpo director, adding that the mix and grading of the stone for the project is not commonly requested in the UK.

The Belfast company predominantly markets stone aggregates from several Northern Ireland quarries to its customer base in the UK and Europe and has previously been involved with various major highway construction contracts, including the Dublin Port Tunnel.

Its other significant projects have included supplies of aggregate for surfacing on the A2/M2, M20 and the M25 motorways in England, and overseas highway projects in Saudi Arabia.

We need to ship stone aggregates for surfacing all the way from the UK........ wow

I think that's completely stupid! Think about the carbon footprint...!!!

I think that's completely stupid! Think about the carbon footprint...!!!

that's what i thought, too. but i was curious why we need to order and ship this kind of coarse calls "gritstone" all the way from UK, when we usually think China has any raw material you want, so i did a little research online. As said in the article, the surface texture of gritstone provides best traction for tires, and consequently better skid resistance for vehicles. This all makes sense why we need this material since HK rains a lot, and can be heavy from time to time. it is a safety factor that drives the decision to use gritstone from the UK.

the main point here is this gritstone is a sedimentary rock seems to be available largely in the UK, northwestern Europe and northeastern America only. this type of stone was formed billion years ago when continental europe and continental north amercia were still together. over time, the two continents have moved away from each other to the present location. consquenetly, the gritstone is only available in the UK, US and Canada for the most part, and isn't quite available in rest of the world. bascially, there is no choice but to ship this "several tonnes" of gritstone across the globe from northern ireland to the stonecutter bridge. :nuts:

Did anyone else notice that this is a bridge to nowhere? Instead of building a long-span bridge, they could have just put a second deck on the Tsing-Kwai Highway.

It's pretty to look at, but it doesn't connect any two points not already connected...
KwunTongChai

Did anyone else notice that this is a bridge to nowhere? Instead of building a long-span bridge, they could have just put a second deck on the Tsing-Kwai Highway.

It's pretty to look at, but it doesn't connect any two points not already connected...
KwunTongChai

Not too sure what you mean, but this bridge isn't just adding capacity to the shipping route between the container port and elsewhere (mainly to the north), it also take off the stress from Tsing-Kwai Highway interchanges to/from the container terminals by having alternate access points to the highway. It also provide better east-west connection between Lantau, N.T. West and NT East.

On the other hands, double decking on existing structures isn't as easy as you think, especially when Tsing-Kwai Highway, Kwai Chung Road and the MTR below can't be shut down during construction. It is far easier to build from scratch on unoccupied land.

Okay, maybe not a "bridge to nowhere" but it's only a duplicate route, adding capacity and interchanges to an existing corridor.

Most bridges of this size in the world are built to connect two distinct land masses, not to provide an expressway bypass over water to avoid congestion on land. Tsing Yi is technically an island, but since it has 4 highway bridges already linking a 6 km sq island to the mainland, it doesn't really count.

It would be similar to building a viaduct from Sheung Wan to 2IFC, then a massive bridge over the Central Waterfront to the Wan Chai Convention Centre, then a viaduct over the waterfront/Victoria Park to North Point, all to avoid having to add capacity or manage demand on existing parallel corridors.
KwunTongChai

Okay, maybe not a "bridge to nowhere" but it's only a duplicate route, adding capacity and interchanges to an existing corridor.

Most bridges of this size in the world are built to connect two distinct land masses, not to provide an expressway bypass over water to avoid congestion on land. Tsing Yi is technically an island, but since it has 4 highway bridges already linking a 6 km sq island to the mainland, it doesn't really count.

But the Stonecutter Bridge isn't built to only serve the Tsing Yi Island, it lands on the southern tip of Tsing Yi, has one interchange and then immediately become a tunnel going towards to the other side of the island where interchange with Tsing Ma Bridge to the Aiport, and Ting Kau Bridge towards northwestern N.T. (boarder.) And that interchange on Tsing Yi Island will greatly serve the Terminal 9, and take some heavy container truck traffic off Tsing Yi Bridge South/Tsing Kwai Road.

The span over Rumbler Channel is over 1.5km, and Stonecutter Bridge is the world second longest cable stayed bridge of its kind spanning over 900m of water. The waterway beneath is one of the world most important waterway for world class container vessels that requires very high clearance with no intermediate obstruction. Only a bridge of this kind can really span that far from one end to another with over 60m of clearance, with no supporting structure from below.

Tsing Kwai Highway has a long way to go before it reaches its capacity on any typical day; but it does in occasion when container terminal traffic jammed up on Container Port Road, and backed up onto Kwai Chung Road and Tsing Kwai Highway. These days are usually the day after typoon closure.


It would be similar to building a viaduct from Sheung Wan to 2IFC, then a massive bridge over the Central Waterfront to the Wan Chai Convention Centre, then a viaduct over the waterfront/Victoria Park to North Point, all to avoid having to add capacity or manage demand on existing parallel corridors.
KwunTongChai

This scenario will be reality in probably 2017 according to the government from two days ago. The link you described is basically the proposed Central-Wan Chai Bypass. Gloucester Road is heavily congested today, and there is no room to widen the road for additional capacity. A flyover over Gloucester Road, similar to the one over Connaught Road Central in Central, was actually an option looked at years back, but it was determined to be very visually unacceptable; and therefore it was opted out. The Central-Wan Chai Bypass is a new highway link adding more east-west capacity running parallel to Gloucester Road, Hennessy Road, Lockhart Road etc. and to divert cross island traffic off Gloucester Road.

In this case of Stonecutter Bridge, it is not just adding capacity and redistribute container port traffic away from Tsing Kwai Highway and Tsing Yi Bridge (South), it also serves as a much more direct connection between eastern N.T. and western N.T. as I said before.

From capacity point of view, Kwai Tsang district isn't really at the point requiring new link to relieve any congestion from the existing system; but this new link will provide a better connection to the southern end of container port area as well as east-west N.T. connection. If it hadn't had built, it wouldn't been end of the world for us; but we always want to have the best infrastructure for the public.

http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc89/kwuntongchai/?action=view&current=20090521_TsingKwaihighwayJPG.jpg

You can see that there was no need to bridge Rambler Channel at the mouth of the container port, they could just as well have done it north of the port. Same distance, same origin, same destination.

Ericishim wrote--

>>And that interchange on Tsing Yi Island will greatly serve the Terminal 9, and take some heavy container truck traffic off Tsing Yi Bridge South/Tsing Kwai Road.<<
Yes, but you can achieve this just by improving access to Terminal 9, I don't understand why you say a massive bridge is necessary to the south of the corridor you're describing.

>>it also serves as a much more direct connection between eastern N.T. and western N.T. as I said before.<<
Check out my diagram, it's not the case.

>>This scenario will be reality in probably 2017<<
But they're not talking about a massive span. I'm talking a single span bridge from IF2 to the convention center. It's the same thing as the Stonecutters Bridge, there was no need to bridge the shipping channel because the corridor could have been repositioned to the north.

I'm curious as to what you think of my diagram
KwunTongChai

Image link (I've never posted an image before, not sure why this didn't work)
http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc89/kwuntongchai/?action=view&current=20090521_TsingKwaihighwayJPG.jpg

Here you go:
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc89/kwuntongchai/20090521_TsingKwaihighwayJPG.jpg
(There was a typo in the picture address, that's why it didn't work.)


You can see that there was no need to bridge Rambler Channel at the mouth of the container port, they could just as well have done it north of the port. Same distance, same origin, same destination.

We all know the origins and destinations for definitely, and the new link has to be in about same distance to be as attractive for road users. One of the points is to redistribute container port traffic from the overloaded intersections to/from Kwai Chung Road and Tsing Kwai Highway at the northern end of Container Port Road South which is pretty much used by all container port traffic today. It has little to do with adding capacity on the highway alone, this is a problem on the ground. Putting a parallel link to the existing Kwai Chung Road and Tsing Kwai Highway will only further stretch the existing roadways and intersection capacity. It doesn't solve the concentrated container port traffic problem.

By having a second link out of Kwai Chung container port area, this will help to pull some Container Terminals 4, 6, 7 and 8 traffic off the northern end of Container Port Road South to the southern end. In another words, we want to separate traffic to/from Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5 to use the infrastructures on the northern end; and traffic to/from Terminals 4, 6, 7 and 8 to use the infrastructures on the southern end.

Second, if you look close enough, portion of the existing Tsing Kwai Highway is already abutting the Container Terminal buildings and storage area. There is no room to fit a flyover between the Terminals and the existing highways, therefore it is not feasible. This link can't run over the container port area to interrupt port operation; and it is encroaching "private" property. The government will have to "purchase" the land back at a significant compensation.

Also the corridor doesn't have room to construct additional interchanges from the new parallel link to Tsing Kwai Highway, Container Roda South and Kwai Chung Road. Building a super express bypass is not the point here.

Third, the new parallel link has to be high enough to go over all "spaghetti" interchanges below. The number of interchanges in that Kwai Chung area is already a mess with three, four, and even five levels. Add additional level will be a very tough challenge to meet highway standard, such as raise and fall can't be over a certain percent in gradient, and curves have to be in some radii.

Further west, Cheung Tsing Tunnel can not be widen to handle the additional traffic from the new parallel highway. It is not a problem for eastbound, but there will be a bottleneck for westbound. This bottleneck will sure have congestion all the time because of as simple as the merging activities. It is not something we want to have on two major highways interchange.

Also constructibility to convert an existing bridge into a new one with additional ramps area is not a easy thing to do. It is basically asking to building a whole new one, while you can't shut down the operation. It is costly and time consuming.

If you ask me how much it would cost to build this parallel link, I would agree that could be slightly cheaper because of the expensive Stonecutter Bridge and the new tunnel of Tsing Yi. But I can't see it to be significant enough to ask for a much much more engineering challenging method with very limited amount of horizontal and vertical space; as well as a much longer construction time method. It is just the economic cost, but also social cost.
(Stonecutter Bridge is engineering challenging, but I am talking about a different kind of challenging in another aspect.)


>>And that interchange on Tsing Yi Island will greatly serve the Terminal 9, and take some heavy container truck traffic off Tsing Yi Bridge South/Tsing Kwai Road.<<
Yes, but you can achieve this just by improving access to Terminal 9, I don't understand why you say a massive bridge is necessary to the south of the corridor you're describing.

If possible, it is better to reroute traffic to stay away from the busy northern end of Container Port Road South. Now having a second link in the south end, container port traffic can choose to cross the water body in either way depends on which way is quicker. Again, it is a matter of traffic distribution.

Also it is better to keep heavy vehicles away from residential area and commuter traffic, like Rambler Crest and Cheung Tsing Estate. It is noise, pollution and safety concerns.


>>it also serves as a much more direct connection between eastern N.T. and western N.T. as I said before.<<
Check out my diagram, it's not the case.

Of course people can do the eastern N.T. and western N.T. movement today via Tsing Kwai Highway and Route 8 today, but it is done indirectly going through three to four interchanges from highway to highway. The Stonecutter Bridge link is far easier and quicker.


>>This scenario will be reality in probably 2017<<
But they're not talking about a massive span. I'm talking a single span bridge from IF2 to the convention center. It's the same thing as the Stonecutters Bridge, there was no need to bridge the shipping channel because the corridor could have been repositioned to the north.

Putting a bridge along the waterfront of Victoria Harbour? It is a big NO these days, not anything that is at grade or elevated.


I'm curious as to what you think of my diagram
KwunTongChai

Good to see you can use aerial resource to express your idea. :cheers:
Not bad, not bad.

By SillYIN from skyscrapers.cn :

http://api.photoshop.com/home_11e5fbb8309740b9aa8ad5872ce63dff/adobe-px-assets/11be0991b61942a2b12aeb55700187bf

that's what i thought, too. but i was curious why we need to order and ship this kind of coarse calls "gritstone" all the way from UK, when we usually think China has any raw material you want, so i did a little research online. As said in the article, the surface texture of gritstone provides best traction for tires, and consequently better skid resistance for vehicles. This all makes sense why we need this material since HK rains a lot, and can be heavy from time to time. it is a safety factor that drives the decision to use gritstone from the UK.

the main point here is this gritstone is a sedimentary rock seems to be available largely in the UK, northwestern Europe and northeastern America only. this type of stone was formed billion years ago when continental europe and continental north amercia were still together. over time, the two continents have moved away from each other to the present location. consquenetly, the gritstone is only available in the UK, US and Canada for the most part, and isn't quite available in rest of the world. bascially, there is no choice but to ship this "several tonnes" of gritstone across the globe from northern ireland to the stonecutter bridge. :nuts:

Sedimentary rocks exist widely around the world. What kind of gritstone is it, to be exact? Because if we're looking for any gritstone I expect it won't be difficult...

Sedimentary rocks exist widely around the world. What kind of gritstone is it, to be exact? Because if we're looking for any gritstone I expect it won't be difficult...

No clue. :nuts:
Something special about this gritstone from the Northern Ireland, may be you should go up there and check it out.

No clue. :nuts:
Something special about this gritstone from the Northern Ireland, may be you should go up there and check it out.

Haha!! On the other hand, there was a high profile project ( I can't say which) here in the UK and what they had to do is to ship some stones or something of that sort from China (because it's cheaper). In the end they had to choose Northern Ireland instead because there was a bit of a political and environmental issue...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/3574787578_44b845185a_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3573985343_f57253cb19_b.jpg
source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrosenfeld/

^ Hey ... that is taken from Long Beach, and I don't think that building is even open for sale yet!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3635940976_c36af8db1e_b.jpg
source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/13354771@N06/3635940976/in/set-72157602024742421/

By oh_no_yes from dchome :

http://www.dchome.net/attachments/day_090701/20090701_17446802d2ace1e457b8nKNX4k5NTycU.jpg

What are they building on HK island in the photo below IFC?

What are they building on HK island in the photo below IFC?

The are reclaiming more land along the coast for a new park and highway underneath.

Project thread : http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=198002

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3635940976_c36af8db1e_b.jpg
source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/13354771@N06/3635940976/in/set-72157602024742421/
great shot:)

6/30
Source : http://www.fotop.net/xavier0713

http://images1.fotop.net/albums6/xavier0713/090630N/P6307148_1_1.jpg

By fatshe :

http://api.photoshop.com/home_11e5fbb8309740b9aa8ad5872ce63dff/adobe-px-assets/05c36355963f4601a626fb899714537a

http://api.photoshop.com/home_11e5fbb8309740b9aa8ad5872ce63dff/adobe-px-assets/12e9b5ece52346f3821076f92664d028

That looks a bit photoshopped right?

Great shot! Does anybody know which this viewpoint is?

I'm also looking for a nice viewpoint from Kowloon side to add some images myself. Anybody got any idea.

Great shot! Does anybody know which this viewpoint is?

I'm also looking for a nice viewpoint from Kowloon side to add some images myself. Anybody got any idea.

You might need to go near the container port and find a housing estate a little high up above the street ... or head to the hillsides around Lion Rock?

By eddygo from dchome :

http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/eddygo/HongKong/Landscape/WesternHarbourTunnelS/IMG_9332d.jpg

You might need to go near the container port and find a housing estate a little high up above the street ... or head to the hillsides around Lion Rock?

Thx! I will try to find the housing estates.

By joEjoE from dchome :

http://www.dchome.net/attachments/day_090717/20090717_e0b522af37c33415e204J3kvku1hJ2hW.jpg

hmm great to see lots of navigable rivers with amazing bridges

I managed to find a spot for a pano of the bridge and the container harbour. I'll try to do it with better light next time. I did not manage to get any higher than this.

<<scroll>>

http://www.pbase.com/image/115248437/original.jpg

Nice! It's a unique vantage point with the containers right in front!

It's always hard in Hong Kong to actually get to places! You just have to try different routes all the time. The best spot in Hong Kong for a view must be the hotels on rambler plaza nearby. This was a quick job. Next time I'll try to do a proper one.

It's always hard in Hong Kong to actually get to places! You just have to try different routes all the time. The best spot in Hong Kong for a view must be the hotels on rambler plaza nearby. This was a quick job. Next time I'll try to do a proper one.

Where did you go? It looks like you were near the highway to Tsing Yi, but somewhat suspended above the street?

Hey ... where's ICC?

I managed to find a spot for a pano of the bridge and the container harbour. I'll try to do it with better light next time. I did not manage to get any higher than this.

<<scroll>>

http://www.pbase.com/image/115248437/original.jpg

15/10!!!!

As promised one with better light taken y'day. I have quite a few more to process.

http://www.pbase.com/xavibarca/image/115307951/original.jpg

A bit later....

http://www.pbase.com/image/115341120/original.jpg

Where did you go? It looks like you were near the highway to Tsing Yi, but somewhat suspended above the street?

Hey ... where's ICC?

It's taken from the institute of vocational studies (??).

It's taken from the institute of vocational studies (??).

institute of vocational educaton, aka IVE :cheers:

So here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=22.341746,114.106965&daddr=&hl=zh-TW&geocode=&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=16&sll=22.342177,114.107072&sspn=0.010043,0.027466&ie=UTF8&ll=22.342296,114.106858&spn=0.010042,0.027466&t=h&z=16

the pictures you have taken are amazing!!!

institute of vocational educaton, aka IVE :cheers:

So here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=22.341746,114.106965&daddr=&hl=zh-TW&geocode=&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=16&sll=22.342177,114.107072&sspn=0.010043,0.027466&ie=UTF8&ll=22.342296,114.106858&spn=0.010042,0.027466&t=h&z=16

the pictures you have taken are amazing!!!

Thx! Makes it much clearer:cheers:!

This bridge is absolutely gorgeous, it is going to go down with the Milau Viaduct and Akashi Kaikyo as one of the most beautiful bridges of the last 20 years.

A bit blurry :

http://images5.fotop.net/albums7/yk9172/DevilsPeak/DSC_0328.jpg

Source : http://www.fotop.net/yk9172

Source : http://www.pbase.com/specialteam/beacon_hill

http://www.pbase.com/specialteam/image/115671666/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/specialteam/image/115671669/original.jpg

By llm5a35 from dchome :

http://www.dchome.net/attachments/day_090809/20090809_a05c2b52a5509c7c1bd6n5xZsVxw3HMZ.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3841171121_fa97d2acc7_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/darylchapman/

By fatshe :

http://api.photoshop.com/home_11e5fbb8309740b9aa8ad5872ce63dff/adobe-px-thumbnails/abb72e8772f54ac6b657f168ca4782c3/fullsize.jpg

Awesome bridge, I was just there this weekend in HK but I could not find a good place to take a picture, I took a few from star ferry but they arent worthy of this forum. The view from the airport express is incredible tho.

wow the bridge is really awesome....

By ivan0201 from dchome :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2618/3891251239_76e0662d7c_b.jpg

By ivan0201 from dchome :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2618/3891251239_76e0662d7c_b.jpg

See it on the right?

By caleb from dchome :

http://www.dchome.net/attachments/day_090906/20090906_fafb3c50d88f90a9530bMrtrENrb7zgs.jpg

By ivan0201 from dchome :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2618/3891251239_76e0662d7c_b.jpg

See it on the right?

lol you could post this pic in almost every other thread and say the same thing :P

http://images5.fotop.net/albums5/kelton/Container_Terminal/0920_7583.jpg

Taken 25 September 2009

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2467/3997403390_f0a4257631_o.jpg

New race route may be a bridge too far
14 October 2009
The Standard

The annual Standard Chartered Marathon unveiled a new route yesterday that is good news for the public but could be bad news for runners.

By moving the 42.2-kilometer race from Route 3 to Route 8 passing through the Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct between Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan and the new Stonecutters Bridge, organizers expect the February 28 marathon to finish faster and the road blocks to be lifted earlier that in past years.

``We will have two lanes from Route 8 for the runners instead of one,'' said William Ko Wai-lam, chairman of the marathon's organizing committee.

Last year, the road blocks were lifted at about 2 pm.

``Even if we can clear the road just 15 minutes earlier, it could help to ease the traffic a lot,'' Ko said.

He added that runners find it easier if the road is wider.

However Choi Tat-ming, a regular competitor from the Hong Kong Athletic Team, said the uphill stretch entering the Stonecutters Bridge will make the race even more challenging.

Stonecutters is a three-lane bridge stretching 1,596 meters which was completed in April and is scheduled to open later this year.

``I don't know exactly about the route as the Stonecutters Bridge is not in use yet,'' Choi said. ``But running up and down a bridge is alway very difficult, especially for marathon runners.''

Another Hong Kong Athletic Team representative, Fan Sui-ping, advised runners to try the new route in the lead- up to the race.

``If there is any question, contestants should consult the family doctor before running,'' Fan said.

To cope with the huge turnout, organizers increased the quotas by 500 to 60,000 and added one more 10km run.

There will now be one full marathon, two half-marathons and five 10km runs. Interested runners should apply before December 31.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association held a different kind of marathon for the elderly yesterday.

About 300 hairdressers gathered in 30 community centers all over the city offering free haircuts for 3,000 seniors. The free service in Sai Wan Ho, Tsing Yi, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun, Sham Shui Po, and Kwun Tong also aimed to attract young people into hairdressing.

I know this bridge is scheduled to open this year but does anyone know when? Wonder what the opening ceremony will be like. Still remember the awesome fireworks off the Tsing Ma Bridge!

I know this bridge is scheduled to open this year but does anyone know when? Wonder what the opening ceremony will be like. Still remember the awesome fireworks off the Tsing Ma Bridge!

In December.

Source : http://gallery.rickyyuen.net/

http://gallery.rickyyuen.net/content/Lanscape/2009/091103%20-%20Stonecutters%20Bridge/_DSC4829_600.jpg

http://gallery.rickyyuen.net/content/Lanscape/2009/091103%20-%20Stonecutters%20Bridge/_DSC4833_600.jpg

http://gallery.rickyyuen.net/content/Lanscape/2009/091103%20-%20Stonecutters%20Bridge/_DSC4839_600.jpg

http://gallery.rickyyuen.net/content/Lanscape/2009/091103%20-%20Stonecutters%20Bridge/_DSC4850_600.jpg

http://gallery.rickyyuen.net/content/Lanscape/2009/091103%20-%20Stonecutters%20Bridge/_DSC4939_600.jpg

http://gallery.rickyyuen.net/content/Lanscape/2009/091103%20-%20Stonecutters%20Bridge/_DSC4988_600.jpg

http://gallery.rickyyuen.net/content/Lanscape/2009/091103%20-%20Stonecutters%20Bridge/_DSC5011_600.jpg

http://gallery.rickyyuen.net/content/Lanscape/2009/091103%20-%20Stonecutters%20Bridge/_DSC5020_600.jpg

Stunning. Hong Kong builds bridges of an excellent standard.

Stunning pictures. If I visit Hong Kong I would love to take pictures from same spot :) Where were they taken from?

Stunning pictures. If I visit Hong Kong I would love to take pictures from same spot :) Where were they taken from?

Tsing Yi Peak
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=tsing+yi,+hong+kong&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=53.212719,114.169922&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Tsing+Yi,+Hong+Kong&ll=22.336421,114.100657&spn=0.061369,0.144196&t=h&z=14

Tnx

By fatshe :

http://api.photoshop.com/home_11e5fbb8309740b9aa8ad5872ce63dff/adobe-px-thumbnails/b518921ace7a4487987ed0b3f813bd6b/fullsize.jpg

Awesome bridge! Another incredible Hong Kong landmark!

:rock:

By getter173 from dchome :

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i39/getter173/pbIMG_4251-crop.jpg

By tsefayi from dchome :

http://www.dchome.net/attachments/day_091112/20091112_cde6288efa8e04355f24K7gBdeK3w7WP.jpg

http://www.dchome.net/attachments/day_091112/20091112_1f7620748e2e11a08df6L7axjZi3k6xY.jpg