Expansion of Hong Kong’s historic Kwong Wah Hospital set to continue after water level concerns
- Hospital in Yau Ma Tei district of Kowloon was established in 1911 and most of the buildings are more than 50 years old
- Concerns about water levels caused three-month suspension but will not affect historic monuments
The authority, which manages Hong Kong’s public hospitals, stressed the problems did not affect the historic monuments within the 108-year-old hospital compound.
Work was suspended in late November after a contractor discovered water ponds in the lift pit excavation area of the site. Monitoring data around the Tung Wah Museum, a declared monument, also indicated abnormal readings in groundwater levels and settlement. It did not state the cause of the water.
“Urgent remedial measures were implemented, including installing additional recharge wells, re-grouting the grout curtain around the museum and backfilling the lift pit area,” an authority statement said.
“An application to resume excavation work was made to the government departments concerned and consent was granted by the Buildings Department on Tuesday. Excavation at the site will resume in due course.”
Kwong Wah Hospital, located in the Yau Ma Tei district of Kowloon, was established in 1911, and most of the buildings are more than 50 years old.
The redevelopment, slated for completion by 2025, aims to solve a number of problems, including overcrowding, outdated facilities and deteriorating structural conditions. Work to demolish half of the main building began in 2016, although all medical and emergency services continued as usual.
The authority said the groundwater levels had risen and were back to normal by mid-December.
The contractor hired an independent expert to assess the geological conditions of the site and appointed a preservation expert to inspect the condition of the museum to confirm the building’s structural safety.
“Further improvement works were implemented including the installation of a grout curtain 10 metres deep into the rock to prevent water leakage through any undetected rock joints,” the statement continued.
Upgrades for the hospital included an 80 per cent expansion of floor area, and a 30 per cent increase in beds – to 1,550. The number of consultation rooms would go from 44 to 100.
The hospital received HK$600 million (US$77 million) in 2016 for demolition work and was expected to seek funding from the Legislative Council next month to build the first phase of the new complex.
The authority said it expected the excavation work to be completed by May.
