The challenges of building high-profile projects, such as the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, not only extend the boundaries of construction and engineering practices, but also hone the professional skills of the construction experts involved.
Barry Wong, associate director at URS/Scott Wilson, says the project is another opportunity for the construction and engineering company's staff to work on a flagship project that is vital to Hong Kong's cruise industry.
'It was a construction project at the decommissioned Kai Tak airport that first brought the firm to Hong Kong nearly 60 years ago,' he says.
The current scope of the company's works in progress at the Kai Tak cruise terminal site include the construction of two 850-metre berths, capable of accommodating the largest cruise vessels, and the laying out of apron areas and temporary infrastructure for roads, drainage and services provision. URS/Scott Wilson was also responsible for dredging the adjoining seabed to allow manoeuvring and berthing of cruise vessels with deep drafts.
'Applying the principle of 'zero reclamation' within [the] harbour, fast-tracking the project, and meeting the tight project time frame have been some of the challenges we have faced,' Wong adds.
To protect the harbour and to comply with the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance requirements, the cruise terminal quay deck must be built within the land limit of the old runway.
