Concrete action to build reefs
MARINE LIFE IN Sai Kung is set to benefit from a major infrastructure project under way on the other side of the New Territories, thanks to an initiative designed to reduce construction waste.
The joint-venture group constructing Stonecutters Bridge, Maeda-Hitachi-Yokogawa-Hsin Chong, has been rewarded for its efforts in waste management and other environmentally friendly actions with a gold award in the Green Construction Contractor category of the Eco-Business Awards 2005.
When completed, Stonecutters Bridge will be the longest span cable-stayed bridge in the world, according to Calvin Sze Kwok-fung, senior quality assurance and environmental engineer of the project.
The 1.6km, dual three-lane, high-level cable-stayed bridge will have a clear span of 1,018 metres.
Part of Route 8, it will straddle the Rambler Channel, linking Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan.
'This section will form part of an east-west link from the New Territories to the airport,' Mr Sze said. 'It will provide access to Container Terminals 8 and 9, enhancing Hong Kong as an important logistics and transport hub.
The $2.76 billion project is set to be completed in late 2008. Work began in April 2004.
The project incorporates two major green initiatives.
'One involves C&D - construction and demolition material. We have introduced a comprehensive waste-prevention technique called 4R. This system involves reduce, reuse, recover and recycle.
'Our goal is to achieve a zero rating. This project uses a huge amount of concrete and steel, but we hope to achieve our goal through 4R implementation.'
The group is working with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to reuse precast concrete segments as artificial reefs.
'At the moment, these are intended to be placed at Port Shelter in Sai Kung near Basalt Island,' Mr Sze said.
'The two-cubic-metre segments have a large surface area and are hollow, ideal for allowing fish and coral to colonise them and improve marine life in the area.'
Mr Sze said the 4R system and the artificial reef scheme were major green initiatives, while pointing out that the group also adhered to air, noise, water quality and waste management regulations.
Commenting on the award, a spokesman for the adjudicating panel said the company's use of silent piling equipment had substantially reduced noise pollution.
He also commended the waste management plan to recycle waste concrete for producing road barriers, road kerbs and concrete cubes.
